28 giug 1113 anni - Battle of al-Sannabra

Descrizione:

In 1113, the ongoing conflict between the Crusader states and the Seljuk Turks reached a critical point at the Battle of al-Sannabra. This confrontation was part of a series of invasions commanded by the Seljuk Sultan Muhammad I of Baghdad, targeting the Crusader-held territories over several years. Under Sultan Muhammad's orders, regions such as Edessa and Galilee had faced multiple military actions, reflecting the Seljuks' strategic focus on weakening the Crusader foothold in the Levant.

Background
Since 1110, the Crusader states, including the Kingdom of Jerusalem, the Principality of Antioch, the County of Tripoli, and the County of Edessa, were under frequent attack from the Seljuks. These incursions aimed at pivotal Crusader strongholds, with Edessa being a repeated target in 1110, 1112, and 1114, while Galilee faced invasion in 1113. Despite some initial successes, many of these campaigns failed to secure lasting control, largely due to the Crusaders' resilient defense and the disintegration of Muslim forces post-battle.

The Battle
In the significant clash of 1113, Mawdud of Mosul, a prominent Muslim commander, aligned with Toghtekin of Damascus to lead a formidable force against the Crusaders. Their strategy involved crossing the Jordan River south of the Sea of Galilee, where they encountered the forces of Baldwin I, the King of Jerusalem. The battle took place near the bridge of al-Sannabra, a strategic crossing point crucial for both sides.

Mawdud ingeniously employed the tactic of feigned retreat, a maneuver designed to lure the Crusaders into a premature and disorganized charge. This tactic succeeded, catching Baldwin's forces off guard and resulting in a decisive Turkish victory in the initial encounter. However, the Crusaders managed to regroup and establish a defensive position on a nearby hill west of the Sea of Galilee, where they held their ground despite continuous pressure from the Seljuk army.

Aftermath
While Mawdud's victory at al-Sannabra did not translate into significant territorial gains, it underscored the persistent threat posed by the Seljuks to the Crusader states. The aftermath saw Mawdud's forces engaging in widespread raiding across the Crusader territories, wreaking havoc on the local economy and infrastructure, much akin to tactics later employed by Saladin. Despite these challenges, the Crusader states managed to endure, bolstered by reinforcements from Tripoli and Antioch and support from Christian pilgrims rallying to their cause.

Mawdud's assassination shortly after the battle marked a turning point, leading to a temporary decline in Seljuk offensive operations against the Crusaders. His successor, Aq-Sunqur Bursuqi, continued the campaign but faced defeat at Edessa in 1114. The Crusader victory at the Battle of Sarmin in 1115, led by Roger of Salerno, effectively ended the Seljuk's immediate threats to the Crusader states, allowing a brief period of stability and consolidation for the embattled Crusader territories in the Levant.

Aggiunto al nastro di tempo:

Data: