The city was founded by sheikh Sayel Bin Alawi Al Rabaa in 1743, after he left his home in Najran, present day Saudi Arabia, to avoid problems between his family, the Hepatullah royal family of Najran, and his wife's family, the Hameduldeen royal family.
The city was founded by Sheikh Sayel Bin Alawi Al Rabaa in 1743, after he left his home in Najran, present-day Saudi Arabia, to escape conflicts between his family, the Hepatullah royal family of Najran, and his wife's family, the Hameduldeen royal family.