In 1891, Muhammad bin Abdullah Al Rashid, a rival of the House of Saud, captured Riyadh, leading the then 15-year-old Ibn Saud and his family to seek refuge. Initially, they sheltered with the Al Murrah Bedouin tribe, then moved to Qatar for two months, briefly stayed in Bahrain, and eventually settled in Kuwait with Ottoman permission, where they lived for about a decade.^[25]

On 14 November 1901, Ibn Saud, accompanied by his half-brother Muhammad and other relatives, launched a raid into Nejd, targeting tribes allied with the Rashidis.^[26] Despite dwindling support and his father's disapproval, Ibn Saud continued his campaign, ultimately reaching Riyadh. On the night of 15 January 1902, Ibn Saud and 40 men scaled the city walls using palm trees, successfully recapturing Riyadh. The Rashidi governor Ajlan was killed in the operation by Abdullah bin Jiluwi, marking the start of the third Saudi State.^[27] After this victory, the Kuwaiti ruler Mubarak Al Sabah sent 70 additional warriors, led by Ibn Saud's younger brother Saad, to support him. Ibn Saud then established his residence in his grandfather Faisal bin Turki's palace in Riyadh.^[26]