[OWM]

Amazing information on UAE. Didn't expect such a young country to be so rich in culture!

[maudawia]

Thanks Shiva -it is really interesting info and great video footage.

[zuril]

the man had a vision!! look at his country now!!

[mauser1905]

Awesome information in here. many thanks for sharing it here Shiva, Eva.

[scot47]

What about the struggle to control Buraimi which led to armed conflict between Saudi Arabia and British Colonial Forces in the then "Trucial States". Lots of Saudis still consider Buraimi/Al Ain to be their national territory !

[shiva]

Originally Posted by scot47 What about the struggle to control Buraimi which led to armed conflict between Saudi Arabia and British Colonial Forces in the then "Trucial States". Lots of Saudis still consider Buraimi/Al Ain to be their national territory !

From memory.

The Trucial Scouts along with a young Sheikh Zayed had a small spat which sent the Saudis running. (The trucial scouts were contrary to popular and revisionist belief quiet liked by the local powers and would generally work together with local troops.) Trunks of rupees were exchanged as blood money and Ali Ain is firmly in the UAE. The Saudis can consider it as much as they like but my understanding is that Emaratis from Al Ain have always paid fealty to Abu Dhabi and or Oman and it was Saudi incursions to get water that led to any claim on a territory they never had.

While I'm on that subject, the UAE (Abu Dhabi) used to have a border contiguous with Qatar and the original maps show the newly formed UAE would border Qatar. The Saudis however wanted to split their neighbours apart in true Saudi paranoia and thus the border that exists today. Zayed never let the claim go but decided not to fight at the time as he felt a newly formed country shouldn't begin in a state of war. He did however make all his sons promise to never forget and to diplomatically gain the land back. This area now lies over a pretty valuable petrochem field for Saudi so that isn't likely to happen soon.