Battle of Al-Regeai

The Battle of Al-Regeai (Arabic: معركة الرقعي), acknowledged as the final significant military engagement in the early historical period of Kuwait, occurred on 28 January 1928. It transpired under the rule of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the 10th ruler of the Sheikhdom of Kuwait. Marking a technological milestone, the battle featured the first utilization of vehicles in Kuwaiti combat. The conflict was instigated by an Ikhwan raid against Kuwaiti farmers at Umm Al-Ruweisat, situated northwest of Al Jahra. Approximately five hundred Ikhwan horsemen launched the attack, leading to the occupation of the farms.

The news reached Kuwait City and prompted the Battle General Commander of Defense and Security Forces, Sheikh Ali Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah to form an army commanded by Sheikhs Ali Khalifa Al-Abdullah II Al-Sabah, Salman Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, Abdullah Jaber Al-Abdullah II Al-Sabah, Abdullah Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Sabah Al-Nasser and Ibrahim Abdullah Al-Muzayan. Vehicles and soldiers from Al Jahra and Kuwait city joined the battle formation contingent led by Sheikh Ali Al-Salem Al-Sabah.

The assaulters were chased to Al-Batin Valley, west of Al-Jahra and were cut off there. Forces of the Al-Kout Fortress led by Sheikh Ali Al-Salem Al-Sabah fought the Ikhwan group and inflicted heavy casualties on the assaulters forcing them to retreat from the assaulted farming areas. During the battle, some of the men charged with the cavalry and others battled out of their respective vehicles. As time passed, vehicles ran out of fuel, ammunition and were sinking in the sand. In the meantime, Sheikh Ali Khalifa Al-Abdullah II Al-Sabah was injured in the leg and remained in the valley attaining the injured.

As time passed, Sheikh Abdullah Jaber Al-Abdullah II Al-Sabah, led the cavalry on a mission to locate and rescue Sheikh Ali Al-Salem Al-Sabah and his soldiers. To the disappointment, the vehicle of Sheikh Ali Al-Salem Al-Sabah was found stuck and raided.

Following the demise of Sheikh Ali Al-Salem Al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah ordered that defense cavalry and infantry in Al-Jahra outside the defensive wall of Kuwait fall under the command of Sheikh Abdullah Jaber Al-Abdullah II Al-Sabah.