Al Darmaki Fort

Al Darmaki Fort, locally also known by its full name Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Darmaki Fort, lies in the city of Al Ain, in the emirate of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

The present twin cities of Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates and Al Buraimi in Oman were originally a group of oases, separated by desert, centered in an area of some 24 km², just north of the Jebel Hafeet mountain. Originally the whole area was known as Al Buraimi Oasis. In the late 19th and early 20th century numerous forts and towers were built to solidify Abu Dhabi's control over the western oases and to protect the settlements and oases from roaming bandits.

In 1952 Saudi Arabia sent raiders to capture the Abu Dhabi forts and incorporate the oasis into the Saudi kingdom. Forces from the Trucial Oman Scouts, as well as the army of Muscat-Oman, arrived to recapture the oasis. With British intervention, the Saudi forces surrendered.

After the independence of the United Arab Emirates in 1971, Abu Dhabi and Oman agreed on final borders, dividing the oases. The Abu Dhabi part was then known as Al Ain and the Oman part as Al Buraimi. From then on Al Ain experienced rapid growth, quickly becoming larger and more successful than Al Buraimi. Nowadays Al Ain is a bustling city while Al Buraimi is more like a quiet town.

I could not find any historical information about Al Darmaki Fort. A disused sign I found in the fort said that it was built in the 1840s by the forefathers of Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Darmaki. I find that date highly improbable as all other forts in Al Ain date back to the late 19th century or even more recent. It was built to protect the Qattara Oasis, together with Al Qattara Fort, Al Wajidi Fort and Al Daramikah Tower. The fort was restored in 1990.

At present Al Darmaki Fort can freely be visited. It is fenced off but the gates are open. A nice quiet fort. Al Darmaki House is nearby.

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