Battle of Yawm al-Nahr

Battle of Yawm al-Nahr
Part of Hilalian invasion of Ifriqiya
Date13 April 1052
Location
Unknown location in Gabès Governorate
Result Hilalian Victory
Belligerents
Zirid Dynasty Banu Hilal
Commanders and leaders
Ibn Salbun
Zaknun ibn Wa’lan
Ziri al-Sanhaji
Unknwon
Casualties and losses
Heavy Light

Battle of Yawm al-Nahr (1052), is the first military clash between the Zirids and Banu Hilal.

Background

After the break between Kairouan and Cairo, the Fatimids sent the Banu Hilal to punish the rebellious Zirids. After events that occurred between Mu’nis ibn Yahya and al-Mu’izz ibn Badis that ended with the arrest of Mu’nis's Family, the Arabs began looting the country, and even after the peace agreements, they continued to do so, so al-Mu’izz ibn Badis was forced to respond.[1]

Battle

After he defeated the brother of Mu’nis, Al-Mu’izz camped outside Kairouan, and sent a vanguard of his large army to the south under the leadership of Ibn Salbun, Zaknun ibn Wa’lan, and Ziri al-Sanhaji. It was the day of Eid al-Adha, April 13, 1052, The Zirid army attacked the Arabs during the Eid prayer, but the Arabs mounted their horses, took up their weapons, and went to defend themselves, They were victorious, and many of the Sanhaja were killed.[1][2][3]

Aftermath

One day after this battle, Al-Mu’izz was defeated in the famous Battle of Haydaran, and the Arabs advanced and besieged Kairouan for a long time until they entered it in 1057.

References

  1. ^ a b R Idris, Hadi (1992). The Sanhaja State: A History of Ifriqiya under the Zirid Dynasty from the 10th to the 12th Century AD (in Arabic). Vol. 1 (1 ed.). Dar Al-Gharb Al-Islami. pp. 256–257.
  2. ^ Ibn al-Athir (2002). The Complete History (in Arabic). Vol. 8 (4 ed.). Beirut: Dar al-Kutub. p. 297.
  3. ^ Ibn Adhari (2013). Al-Bayan al-Mughrib (in Arabic). Vol. 1 (1 ed.). Dar al-Gharb al-Islami. p. 319.

Sources