[1] He led Umm Al Quwain through a turbulent period in the Trucial Coast's history, with conflicts against neighbouring emirates and almost constantly shifting alliances.
Ruling at a time when the coastal communities of the Persian Gulf were almost constantly in conflict, he was immediately involved in a fight with Sharjah over the island of Abu Musa.
[1] In 1879, Ahmad bin Abdullah allied himself to Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah against Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
This action constituted a breach of the Perpetual Maritime Truce of 1853 and Ahmad was consequently reprimanded by the British Resident Agent and compelled to pay a fine.
Once again found to be in breach of the 1853 Treaty, Ahmad bin Abdullah was visited by a representative of the Resident Agent aboard HMS Reindeer.
The two Frenchmen had found a receptive audience in Ahmad bin Abdullah, having supplied him with French flags for Umm Al Quwain's ships to fly, allowing them to act independently of British interests and rulings.