[2] By July, the situation had gotten so dire that the British government sent a small garrison to Natrah to aid the sultan of Muscat, to no avail.

[8] Also in August, the rebels launched an offensive towards the coastal side of al-Jabal al-Akhda, and Nakhl was besieged on the 4th.

They were opposed by 750 British Indian Army troops, consisting of detachments of the 102nd Prince of Wales's Own Grenadiers (led by Colonel S. M. Edwardes and stationed at Bayt al-Falaj) and the 95th Russell's Infantry (commanded by Colonel F. F. Major and stationed at Ruwi village).

A small detachment of Arab retainers was to protect Dar Sayt, but actually fled when fighting began.

The general perception of the rebels at that time was that Germans had more or less emerged victorious in the war in Europe, that Wilhelm II and his followers had converted to Islam, and that it was prudent to continue fighting the British and the sultan until they would be driven out of Arabia.

[10] However, the Sultan also recaptured some settlements in late July, such as the port of Daghmar and headquarters of Hayl al-Gha.