Treaty of Darin
Darin, Tarout Island, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia
What happened
Abdulaziz Al Saud (Ibn Saud), ruler of Nejd and Hasa, and Sir Percy Cox for Britain signed the treaty. During World War I, Britain wanted to protect its allies along the Persian Gulf. On Tarout Island, Ibn Saud agreed that his lands would be under British protection. In return Britain recognised him as ruler of Nejd and gave him a loan, weapons and payments.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the first treaty to give international recognition to the emerging Saudi state. It also brought the idea of agreed borders into the region.
What came next
The Treaty of Jeddah replaced it in 1927. Ibn Saud founded the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932.
Did you know?
Tarout Island has been lived on since about 5000 BCE and was a trading point between Mesopotamia and eastern Arabia.
Timeline
- 26 December 1915The Treaty of Darin is signed.
- 1927Treaty of Jeddah.
- 1932Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is founded.