who had laid claim to sovereignty of the coastal communities of the Southern Persian Gulf. A number of incidents took place involving British shipping, including the British appearing to support and be in co-operation with the Sultan. The Qawasim's aggressive reaction to the application of British force led to a number of attacks by Qawasim forces. In 1806, Sultan entered into a truce which led to a peace treaty with the British. This treaty, signed on 6 February 1806, called for the restitution of the 'Trimmer', a captured British ship, and bound the Qawasim to respect shipping flying the British flag. In return, Qawasim ships were to enjoy unfettered access to Indian ports. Exile Two years' peace in the Persian Gulf followed the signing of the treaty, allowing Sultan to focus his energies against his old enemy the Sultan of Muscat. In May 1808 he took Khor Fakkan from Muscat. However, soon after this victory, Sultan was removed as head of the Qawasim by the Saudi Amir and then as Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah the following year. Husain bin Ali, the Sheikh of Rams and Dhayah was appointed head wali, or tax collector, for the Saudis in Trucial Oman. At the same time, the Saudis took the forts of Fujairah, Al Bithnah and Khor Fakkan. Sultan bin Saqr was held prisoner at the Al Saud capital of Diriyah, today a suburb of Riyadh, in 1809, having been ordered to attend the Saudi ruler there. He escaped and travelled via Yemen and Mokha to Muscat, where he was received by Saiyid Said, the Sultan of Oman. An increase in attacks on British shipping in both the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean culminated in a demand, made by Husain bin Ali, that British ships pay tribute to the Qawasim. Alongside taking part in Saudi-led expeditions against other Gulf ports, the Qawasim were in conflict with the Persians as well as the Sultan of Muscat and still attacking British shipping. It was decided to mount an expedition to support the Sultan as well as to bring down the Qawasim. Persian Gulf campaign of 1809 The Persian Gulf campaign of 1809 commenced with the arrival of the British fleet off Ras Al Khaimah on 11 November 1809, bombarding the town the next day. After an abortive landing attempt took place on the 12 November, the British took Lingeh and Luft before taking