At the start of the 20th century, tribal conflicts in Arabia led to unification under Al Saud's leadership, primarily through the Ikhwan, a Wahhabist-Bedouin tribal army led by Sultan bin Bajad and Faisal Al Dawish. Following the Ottoman Empire's collapse after World War I, the Ikhwan helped conquer the territory forming modern Saudi Arabia by 1925. Abdulaziz declared himself King of the Hejaz on 10 January 1926 and King of Nejd on 27 January 1927, changing his title from 'Sultan' to 'King'.

Post-Hejaz conquest, some Ikhwan factions, particularly the Mutair tribe under Al-Dawish, sought further expansion into British protectorates, leading to conflicts and heavy losses in Kuwait-Najd Border War and raids on Transjordan. A significant clash occurred near Busaiya, Iraq, in November 1927, resulting in casualties.

In response, Ibn Saud convened the Al Riyadh Conference in November 1928, attended by 800 tribal and religious leaders, including Ikhwan members. Ibn Saud opposed the Ikhwan's aggressive expansion, recognizing the risks of conflict with the British. Despite Ikhwan beliefs that non-Wahhabis were infidels, Ibn Saud was aware of existing treaties with Britain and had recently gained British recognition as an independent ruler. This led to the Ikhwan openly revolting in December 1928.

The feud between the House of Saud and the Ikhwan escalated into open conflict, culminating in the Battle of Sabilla on 29 March 1929, where the rebellion's main instigators were defeated. Further clashes occurred in the Jabal Shammar region in August 1929, and the Ikhwan attacked the Awazim tribe in October 1929. Faisal Al Dawish fled to Kuwait but was later detained by the British and handed over to Ibn Saud.

The rebellion was suppressed by 10 January 1930, with the surrender of other Ikhwan leaders to the British. The aftermath saw the elimination of the Ikhwan leadership, and the survivors were integrated into regular Saudi units. Sultan bin Bajad, a key Ikhwan leader, was killed in 1931, and Al Dawish died in Riyadh prison on 3 October 1931.