Career
During his rule, Saud annexed Makkah and Madinah from the Ottoman Empire. The House of Saud extended its rule beyond the Najd and into the Hijaz which culminated with the capture of Makkah and Madinah. Saud"s reign was a period of religious cleansing in Arabia.
During his reign, attacks on shrines in Iraq continued.
The new Saudis cleansed the Kaaba in Mecca and destroyed the tombs of numerous men in Madinah. The forces of Saud also felt that they were emulating the example of Muhammad who smashed idols when he retook Mecca.
The Ottoman Empire did not want to relent control over the cities to local tribesmen. The Ottomans could not retake the cities on their own though as the bulk of their forces was tied up in Europe.
Muhammad Ali, the viceroy of Egypt, was assigned to recapture the Arabian territories.
