Battle of Aleppo

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Battle of Aleppo.

Part of Campaigns of Khalid ibn al-Walid

The Aleppo city

Date	July–October 637 A.D
Location	Aleppo, Syria
Result	Decisive Muslim Victory

Combatants

Muslims

Byzantine Empire
Christian Arabs

Commanders

Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah
Khalid ibn al-Walid

Joachim

Strength

17,000

10,000–12,000

Casualties

Unknown but very few.

About 1000-2000

Byzantine-Arab Wars
Mutah – Tabouk – Dathin – Firaz - Qarteen – Bosra – Ajnadayn – Marj-al-Rahit – Fahl - Yarmouk – Hazir – Aleppo – Iron Bridge - Nikiou – 1st Constantinople – Syllaeum – That Al-Sawari – Carthage – 2nd Constantinople – Akroinon

Campaigns of Khalid ibn al-Walid
Conquest of Arabia Uhud – Trench – Mu'tah – Mecca – Hunayn – Ta'if Ridda Wars Yamama – Zafar – Buzakha – Ghamra – Naqra Conquest of the Persian Empire Chains – River – Walaja – Hira – Al-Anbar – Ein-ul-tamr – Daumat-ul-Jandal – Ullais – Muzayyah – Saniyy – Zumail – Firaz Conquest of the Eastern Roman Empire Mu'tah – Firaz – Qarteen – Bosra – Ajnadayn – Marj-al-Rahit – Fahl – Yarmouk – Hazir – Aleppo – Iron Bridge

1 Background
2 The Battle
3 Aftermath
4 References
5 Online resources

[edit] Background

Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah now joined Khalid ibn al-Walid at Qinassareen, and the army marched to Aleppo, where a strong garrison under a Roman general named Joachim held the fort. Aleppo consisted of a large walled city and a smaller but virtually impregnable fort outside the city atop a hill, a little more than a quarter of a mile across, surrounded by a wide moat.

[edit] The Battle

General Joachim following the same line of thought as the commander of Qinassareen, set out to meet the Muslims in the open and clashed with the Mobile Guard 6 miles south of the city. A bloody engagement took place here, in which the Romans were worsted and Joachim, now wiser, pulled back in haste and regained the safety of the fort. The Muslims moved up and laid siege to the fort. Joachim was a very bold commander and launched several sallies to break the siege, but received heavy punishment every time. After a few days of this, the Romans decided to remain in the fort and await such help as Heraclius might be able to send. Heraclius however, could send none; and four months later, around October 637, the Romans surrendered on terms. The soldiers of the garrison were allowed to depart in peace; but Joachim would not go. He became a Muslim and elected to serve under the banner of Islam. In fact, over the next few weeks, he proved a remarkably able and loyal officer, and fought gallantly under various Muslim generals.^[1]

[edit] Aftermath

Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah sent a column under Malik bin Ashtar to take Azaz on the route to 'Rome'. The region which the Muslims called Rome included the area which is now Southern Turkey east of the, Taurus Mountains. Malik, assisted by Joachim, captured Azaz and signed a pact with the local inhabitants, whereafter he returned to Aleppo. The capture and clearance of Azaz was essential to ensure that no large Roman forces remained north of Aleppo, whence they could strike at the flank and rear of the Muslims as the next major operation was launched. As soon as Malik bin Ashtar rejoined the army, Abu Ubaidah marched westwards to capture Antioch.^[2].