Abdullah sent a messenger to Mohammed Ali bin Huwaidan, the headman of the powerful Bedouin tribe, the Bani Qitab, who owed their loyalty to the house of Al Mualla and Mohammed Ali travelled to Umm Al Quwain with a force of some 100 men to guard the town. The move was inspired: Ibrahim bin Ahmad stayed at Falaj Al Ali and Saeed bin Ahmad fled to Ras Al Khaimah. Another possible claimant, Abdullah bin Saeed – who was married to Rashid bin Ahmad's daughter – stayed in Umm Al Quwain but was placed under house arrest. Abdullah himself maintained a house in Ras Al Khaimah.
