The Muslim Conquests in Syria and Iraq: Fihl, Baisân, Beirut and the Battle of Kaskar

The Battle of Fihl

Providing Yazid bin Abu Sufyân (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) with a strong contingent, Abu Ubaidah proceeded from Damascus to Fihl where Saqlar bin Mikhraq, the noted general of Heraclius was lying with a few hundred thousand soldiers. Before leaving Damascus, Abu Ubaidah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) had given the advance-guard to Khâlid bin Walid (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ), the middle to Shurahbil bin Hasanah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ), the right wing to Amr bin Âs (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) and lead the left wing himself, while Dirâr bin Azwar (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) was given charge of the cavalry and Iyâd bin Ghanam (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) that of the infantry. Every commander camped at the place of his own choice.

The Romans attacked the middle portion of the Muslim army in night. Shurahbil bin Hasanah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) came out in full force and fervor. The din and bustle of military movements made the Muslim commanders rush to the scene of fighting with their troops. The fierce and hot battle continued day and night for a couple of days. At last, the Romans fled the field leaving eighty thousand men including the Roman general Saqlar dead, and a large quantity of booty. After Fihl, the Muslim army marched to Baisân.

Conquest of Baisân

Here also they anticipated a fierce fight. The Muslim army laid siege to the city and the fort. In the meantime Abu Ubaidah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) was informed that a Roman general had marched at the head of a huge army to restore Damascus. Abu Ubaidah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) dispatched a squad of horsemen headed by Khâlid bin Walid (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ). Yazid bin Abu Sufyân (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ), the governor of Damascus had moved forward to take on the Romans when the detachment led by Khâlid bin Walid (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) attacked from the rear, with the result that not a single Roman soldier was able to save his life. At last, the people of Baisân made an offer of peace, which was immediately granted by the Muslim general and a governor was installed there. Abu Ubaidah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) then sent Abul-A'war As-Sulami at the head of a division to Tabariyah where the Muslim forces won victory without fight.

Conquest of Saida, Irqah and Beirut

Soon after exercising full control over Damascus, Yazid bin Abu Sufyân sent his brother, Mu’âwiyah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) bin Abu Sufyân to Irqah at the head of a squadron who conquered Irqah without facing any resistance. Yazid then turned to Saida, Habil and Beirut, and these territories easily yielded to the Muslim attack. Thus, Damascus and the entire territory of Jordan came under the control of the Muslims.

Campaigns in Iraq

The smashing victory in Yarmuk led the Muslim army to conquer all of Syria. Now, they were looking forward to conquer Hims, the seat of Heraclius.

First Deed of Abu Ubaid bin Mas'ud (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ)

As mentioned above, in the very first week after assuming the caliphate, Umar (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) dispatched Muthanna bin Hârithah, Saad (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) bin Ubaid, Sulait bin Qais and Abu Ubaid bin Mas'ud to Iraq. Even though Abu Ubaid bin Mas'ud (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ), the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi forces, left Al-Madinah along with Muthanna bin Hârithah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ), he stopped to take with him men from the Arab tribes along the way and made brief halts at different places, he reached Iraq one month after Muthanna (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ). On reaching Hirah, Muthanna bin Hârithah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) saw with anxiety that the Persians had roused all the Iraqi chiefs against the Muslims and Rustam, the governor of Khurâsan, had taken his position in Madâ'in after making massive military preparations. With the arrival of Muthanna (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ), Rustam sent a large army to combat him. Rustam sent another huge army to Kaskar headed by Narsi, a very brave and experienced general of the royal family. The third strong army he entrusted to Jâbân and sent it towards the Euphrates, they pitched their camp at Namâriq. Muthanna bin Hârithah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) on the other hand came out from Hirah and camped at Khaffân.

Meanwhile Abu Ubaid bin Mas'ud (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) arrived and took charge of the entire Muslim army. He left Muthanna (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) at Khaffân entrusting him with the command of the Muslim cavalry and he launched a massive attack on Jâbân at Namâriq and tore apart their ranks, with the result, the Persians fled the battlefield. Jâbân was captured by a Muslim soldier, Matar bin Fiddah, who did not recognize him as Jâbân, the Persian general. Taking advantage of this, Jâbân offered him two valuable slaves in return for his freedom. He was freed but another Muslim soldier caught him for he knew he was Jâbân, the Persian general. He was produced before Abu Ubaid bin Mas'ud (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) with the report that he, the Persian general, had obtained safety by fraudulent means. Abu Ubaid (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) probed the matter and found to his satisfaction that the Persian general was given peace and safety by a Muslim soldier. Thus, Abu Ubaid (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) released Jâbân who joined his people at Kaskar.

Conquest of Kaskar

Narsi was already encamped at Kaskar with thirty thousand soldiers. Now Jâbân and his defeated army also joined him. Informed of the crushing defeat of Jâbân, Rustam dispatched from Madâ'in in a huge army headed by a noted general, Jâlinus.

Abu Ubaid bin Mas'ud Thaqafi (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) engaged Narsi in battle before the arrival of reinforcements from Madâ'in. Two subordinate generals of the royal family had been entrusted with the right and left flanks and the main body of the army. In the Muslim army, the center was under the command of Abu Ubaid (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) while the right wing was headed by Saad (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) bin Ubaid (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ), the left wing by Sulait bin Qais (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) and the advance guard by Muthanna (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ). The battle soon became fierce. When Muthanna (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) found the battle dragging on, he severed his column from the army and launched a sudden attack from the rear on the Persian army after making a circle of about eight miles. Narsi was caught unaware. However, he turned a contingent towards the back. But a massive attack from Saad (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) bin Ubaid (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) created chaos in the enemy ranks. Both Saad (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) bin Ubaid and Abu Ubaid (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) went deep into the heart of the Persian troops and had Narsi within their range. In view of the situation the other Muslim fighters also plunged deep into the enemy ranks with the cry of Allâhu Akbar (Allâh is the Most Great).

The Persians could not withstand the assault and gave up fighting particularly when they found Narsi retreating. Muthanna (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) chased the fugitives and the rest of the Muslim army took a large number of the enemy as captives and captured their camps and bazaars. After finishing this arduous task, Abu Ubaid (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) sent Muthanna, Asim (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) and Sulait (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) to clear the surrounding areas of the Persian troops, and they did their job adequately and appreciably.