General information
Part of Conflict: Saudi Arabia: Government
Date of first stated goals of incompatibility: 1979-11-20
Comment on date of first stated goal of incompatibility: On the morning of 20 November 1979 members of the JSM occupied the Grand Mosque (Masjid al-Haram) and denounced the government through the loudspeakers. The leader, Juhayman bin Muhammad bin Sayf al-Utaybi had presented discontent with the government in earlier letters but it is questionable how openly stated this incompatibility was.
Date of first use of armed force: 1979-11-20
Comment on date of first use of armed force: The first use of armed force occured in relation to the occupation of the Mosque. It is unclear wether the response from the authorities occured on the same day as the occupation, e.g. 20 November, or if it was the day after.
First Battle Related Death: 1979-11-20
Comment on First Battle Related Death: The first use of armed force resulted in several casualties. It occured in relation to the occupation of the Mosque. It is unclear wether the response from the authorities occured on the same day as the occupation, e.g. 20 November, or if it was the day after.
Date when dyad reached 25 battle releated deaths: 1979-11-20
Comment on date when dyad reached 25 battle related deaths: The first use of armed force resulted in several casualties. It occured in relation to the occupation of the Mosque. It is unclear wether the response from the authorities occured on the same day as the occupation, e.g. 20 November, or if it was the day after.
Conflict issues
Annual information
This section contains annual information systematically collected by the UCDP.
1979
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 177 |
| Best | 177 |
| Low | 152 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Saudi Arabia): n/a
Side B (JSM): n/a
Dyad Archive
This section contains annual information no longer systematically collected by the UCDP.
1979 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: There are different claims regarding the amount of casualties in the siege. The lower numbers are around 100 casualties but others claim there were a lot more.
Comment on Active: On the morning of 20 November 1979 members of the JSM occupied the Grand Mosque (Masjid al-Haram) and denounced the government through the loudspeakers. The government retaliated and JSM was defeated after days of battle.
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiations: There are no records of negotiations between JSM and the government
Victory: YES
Victorious side: A
Comment on Victory: After days of battle JSM was defeated. Out of those who did not die in the battle many were sentenced to death or very long terms in prison
Comment on Victorious Side: 4 December the government was able to capture the remaining members of JSM in the Mosque. The leader bin Muhammad bin Sayf al-Utaybi had already been captured the day before. Out of those who did not die in the battle many were sentenced to death or very long terms in prison
Comment on Total Battle Related Deaths: 4 December the government was able to capture the remaining members of JSM in the Mosque. The leader bin Muhammad bin Sayf al-Utaybi had already been captured the day before. Out of those who did not die in the battle many were sentenced to death or very long terms in prison
Terminated: YES
Type of termination: Victory
Date of termination: 1979-12-04
Comment on Termination: After days of battle JSM was defeated. Out of those who did not die in the battle many were sentenced to death or very long terms in prison.
Comment on Termination Date: 4 December the government was able to capture the remaining members of JSM in the Mosque. The leader bin Muhammad bin Sayf al-Utaybi had already been captured the day before. Out of those who did not die in the battle many were sentenced to death or very long terms in prison.
