BATTLE OF IRON BRIDGE

The 'Battle of Iron Bridge' was fought between Rashidun army and Byzantine army, near an ''Iron bridge'' spanned the River Orontes in 637 A.D, because of it the battle is named so. The campaigns in Anatolia were undertaken after the decisive Rashidun Caliphate victory at Battle of Yarmouk.

Contents

Background

The battle

Aftermath

References

On-line resources

Background

After the decisive victory at Battle of Yarmouk, Muslim army regain the control of Levant, Jerusalem was conquered shortly after it, Muslim forces then marched north wards, conquering all of the Levant, the Muslims penetrate into Anatolia, the objective was to capture Antioch the capital of asian zone of Byzantine empire and to secure Syria from any possible threat from north. After conquest of Aleppo, Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah sent a column under Malik al-Ashtar to capture Azaz in Southern Turkey, east of the, Taurus Mountains. The capture and clearance of Azaz was essential to ensure that no large Byzantine forces remained north of Aleppo, from where they could strike at the flank and rear of the Muslim army during the operation against Antioch.^[1] As soon as Malik rejoined the army, Abu Ubaidah marched westwards to capture Antioch, with Khalid ibn Walid leading the advance guard with his Mobile guard. The army marched west ward direct from Aleppo via Harim and approached Antioch from the east.Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari. ''History of the Prophets and Kings'', Vol. 3, p. 98.

The battle

Some 12 miles from the city, near modern days ''Mahruba'', a bridge of iron spanned the River Orontes, it was here that the battle was fought between Muslim army and Byzantine garrison, the defenders of Antioch. A major battle was fought, the details of which are not recorded, Khalid bin Walid again played a prominent role with his Mobile guard, as he had done so in the Battle of Yarmouk. Byzantine forces were defeated with heavy losses, With the exception, of Battle of Ajnadayn and Battle of Yarmouk, the Byzantine army's casualties here are believed to have been the highest during the Muslim conquest of Syria.Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari. ''History of the Prophets and Kings'', Vol. 3, page no: 99-100. The remnants of Byzantine army fled to Antioch. The Muslims army moved up and laid siege to Antioch. The city surrendered to the Muslims on October 30, 637 A.D. According to the pact, the defeated Byzantine soldiers were allowed to depart in peace.

Aftermath

Following the surrender of Antioch, Muslim armies columns moved south along the Mediterranean coast and captured Latakia, Jablah and Tartus(''Syria''), thus clearing most of north-western Syria of the enemy. Other columns were sent to subdued what remained of northern Syria. Khalid ibn Walid was sent with his cavalry on a raid eastwards up to the Euphrates in the vicinity of Munbij, but found little opposition. In early January, 638 the campaign was over. After the defeat of pro-Byzantine Christian Arabs from Jazira who laid the siege of Emessa in March 638 A.D, Abu Ubaidah sent more columns under Khalid ibn Walid and Ayadh ibn Ghanam to subdued Jazira near Syrian frontiers and in Anatolia, towards north as far as Ararat plain and west towards Taurus Mountains. The Taurus Mountains in Turkey thus marked the western most frontiers of Rashidun Caliphate in Anatolia.^[5]

References

1. A.I. Akram, The Sword of Allah: Khalid bin al-Waleed, His Life and Campaigns, Nat. Publishing. House, Rawalpindi (1970) ISBN 0-71010-104-X. chapter no:36
2. A.I. Akram, The Sword of Allah: Khalid bin al-Waleed, His Life and Campaigns, Nat. Publishing. House, Rawalpindi (1970) ISBN 0-71010-104-X. chapter no:36
3. A.I. Akram, The Sword of Allah: Khalid bin al-Waleed, His Life and Campaigns, Nat. Publishing. House, Rawalpindi (1970) ISBN 0-71010-104-X. chapter no:36
4. A.I. Akram, The Sword of Allah: Khalid bin al-Waleed, His Life and Campaigns, Nat. Publishing. House, Rawalpindi (1970) ISBN 0-71010-104-X. chapter no:36
5. A.I. Akram, The Sword of Allah: Khalid bin al-Waleed, His Life and Campaigns, Nat. Publishing. House, Rawalpindi (1970) ISBN 0-71010-104-X.

On-line resources

★ A.I. Akram, ''The Sword of Allah: Khalid bin al-Waleed, His Life and Campaigns'' Lahore, 1969