Battle of Khannour

Battle of Khannour
Part of Qatari–Abu Dhabi War
Rudimentary sketch map depicting Qatar and Abu Dhabi produced by the British government in 1926
Date January–February 1889 Location Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Trucial States Result Qatari victory
Belligerents
Abu Dhabi	Qatar Supported by:  Ottoman Empire
Commanders and leaders
Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Khalifa bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan	Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani Ahmed bin Muhammed Al Thani
Strength
Unknown	1,000+ men 1 Ottoman merchant ship
Casualties and losses
500+ killed	Unknown

The Battle of Khannour (Arabic: وقعة خنور) was a series of military engagements between the forces of Abu Dhabi led by Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan and Qatar under Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani that took place in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Trucial States from January to February 1889. The conflict centered around the eponymous fortress of Khannour in Abu Dhabi and extended to several regions within the emirate, including Liwa, Al Dhafra and Al Ain.^[1]

Resulting from long-standing territorial disputes and tribal rivalries which evolved into a full blown war, the battle marked a crucial turning point in Gulf politics of the late 19th century. Qatari forces, numbering between 500 and 1,000 men and supported by limited Ottoman assistance, achieved a decisive victory, capturing Khannour Fort and advancing deep into Abu Dhabi territory.^[2]

The conflict ended after Jassim withdrew his forces from the Emirate, partially due to British diplomatic intervention, though skirmishes continued intermittently until 1892. The battle is considered a pivotal event in Qatar's emergence as a distinct political entity and had lasting implications for the geopolitical landscape of the Persian Gulf, significantly altering the balance of power in the region and accelerating the decline of traditional tribal structures while increasing both British and Ottoman involvement in Gulf affairs.^[3]