NewsRescue
The king of Saudi Arabia, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al Saud has died at the age of 90.
He will be succeeded by Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz.
Related: NewsRescue–Intel Report – Jewish Origins Of Saudi Monarchy: Does This Relate To Salafi Extremism And Shia Hate?
History of Saudi Arabia
Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud (the 20th century leader of the House of Saud) spent three decades trying to re-establish his family’s rule over as much of the Arabian Peninsula as possible (after capturing Riyadh), starting with his native Najd. His chief rivals were the Al Rashid clan in Ha’il, the Sharifs of Mecca in the Hijaz, and the Ottoman Turks in al-Hasa. Ibn Saud also had to contend, however, with the descendants of his late uncle Saud ibn Faisal (later known as the “Saud al-Kabir” branch of the family), who posed as the rightful heirs to the throne. Though for a time acknowledging the sovereignty of the Ottoman Sultans and even taking the title of pasha, Ibn Saud allied himself to the British, in opposition to the Ottoman-backed Al Rashid. From 1915 to 1927, Ibn Saud’s dominions were a protectorate of the British Empire, pursuant to the 1915 Treaty of Darin.
The Kingdom was broke till 1937 discovery of oil
By 1932, Ibn Saud had disposed of all his main rivals and consolidated his rule over much of the Arabian Peninsula. He declared himself king of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that year. Previously, he had gone through several titles, starting with “Sultan of Najd” and ending with “King of Hijaz and Najd and their dependencies.” Ibn Saud’s father, Abdul Rahman retained the honorary title of “imam.” In 1937 near Dammam, American surveyors discovered what later proved to be Saudi Arabia’s vast oil reserves. Before the discovery of oil, many family members were destitute. – Wikipedia
