Built in the late 18th century, it was demolished by the Saudi government in 2002 for commercial development of the Abraj Al Bait, sparking outcry from Turkey and other concerned Muslims of the world.

[1][2] The fort covered some 23,000 m2 (250,000 sq ft) on Bulbul Mountain[3] (a spur of Jebel Kuda) overlooking the Masjid al-Haram from the south.

[7] The Turkish Democratic Left Party (DSP) Deputy Ertuğrul Kumcuoğlu even suggested a boycott on travelling to Saudi Arabia.

[8] The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism condemned the obliteration of the fortress, comparing the act to the destruction of the Buddhas of Bamyan, and accusing the Saudi authorities of "continuing with their policy of demolishing Ottoman heritage sites".

[11] Arab commenters are dismissive of the protests against the destruction, and ascribed them to a residual bitterness on the loss of the Arabian peninsula by the Ottoman Empire.