Sinai and Palestine Campaign - Arab Revolt

Arab Revolt

The British were keenly interested in the activities of the Sherif Hussein, Amir of Mecca, whose Sharifian Army took over Mecca and Jeddah in the south western Arabian Peninsula from their Ottoman garrisons, on 5 and 16 June 1916. A large Ottoman garrison held out at Taif until towards the end of September when they capitulated, and Sherif Hussein's third son Feisal attacked the Ottoman garrison at Medina.

On the basis of this success the British hoped to extend the Arab Revolt and bring instability along the enemy's Hejaz Railway which runs north – south from Istanbul to Damascus and on to Amman, Maan, Medina and to Mecca. Built by the Ottomans with German assistance for the transportation of pilgrims, the railway was an important element in the Ottoman Army's lines of communication, as well as a strategically important support for both defensive and offensive operations; the station buildings being solidly built of stone and capable of being strong defensive positions.

With the balance of power in northern Sinai moving in favour of the British, the Sherif was encouraged to seek support for his revolt from as far north as Baalbek, north of Damascus. In London, the War Office, hoping to foment widespread action throughout the Arab lands of the Ottoman Empire, encouraged General Murray's plan to advance to El Arish.