Sabah conflict (1771)

The Sabah conflict sometimes called Bruneian–Sulu War and North Borneo conflict was a conflict between the Bruneian Sultanate and the Sultanate of Sulu.

Sabah conflict
Part of the North Borneo dispute
The Sulu Sultanate tried to claim the eastern part Sabah as promised by Muhyiddin after the Bruneian Civil war
Date 1771 – 1775/1776 Location Sabah Result Bruneian victory Sulu troops under Datu Teting flee back to Sulu
Belligerents
Bruneian Empire	Sulu Sultanate
Commanders and leaders
Omar Ali Saifuddin I Pengiran Temenggong Ampa	Azim ud-Din I Datu Teting
Strength
Unknown; bigger than the Sulu army	Unknown; smaller than the Bruneian army
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

Background

The conflict over North Borneo, also known as Sabah, began after which a promise made by Sultan Muhyiddin to the Sultan of Sulu after Sulu helped him win the Brunei Civil War that went in his favor. Sulu attacked Brunei in 1771 after he had become severely weakened. Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin signed a deal with the British Empire in June 1774 to secure outside support. The British were looking for a storehouse along the way to Canton and received exclusive rights to the pepper trade in exchange for their military assistance.

War

The Sulu Sultanate despatch a force under the command of Datu Teting to attack Balambangan in 1775, its leaders sought safety in Labuan after the British quickly established a presence in Brunei. When the two forces clashed, Datu Teting surrendered and his troops fled back to Sulu after learning that the warriors of Brunei, led by Pengiran Temenggong Ampa, were far too strong for them to defeat.

Aftermath

As a result of this victory, Brunei managed to still have its grip on Sabah until the 19th century. This also proved that Brunei hadn't yet weaken heavily and that Brunei could still defeat their rivals.