From the 17th century onward, the island of Abadan was part of the lands of the Arab Ka’ab (Bani Kaab) tribe. One section of this tribe, Mohaysen, had its headquarters at Mohammara (present-day Khorramshahr), until the removal of Shaikh Khaz’al Khan in 1924.Exploded T-54/55 tank, remains as symbol of homeland–Iraq War (1980–1988).
It was not until the 20th century that rich oil fields were discovered in the area. On 16 July 1909, after secret negotiation with the British consul, Percy Cox, assisted by Arnold Wilson, Sheik Khaz’al agreed to a rental agreement for the island including Abadan.
