Battle of Al-Babein | |||||||
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Part of the Crusades | |||||||
Detail of a miniature of a battle between Amaury and Siracon (Shirkuh). | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Kingdom of Jerusalem | Zengid Dynasty | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Amalric I of Jerusalem |
Shirkuh Saladin | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
374 knights, some horse archers and tens of thousands(10,000+) latin crusader [3][dubious – discuss] | 2,000[4][5] | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
100 knights | Unknown |
The Battle of al-Babein took place on March 18, 1167, during the third Crusader invasion of Egypt. King Amalric I of Jerusalem, and a Zengid army under Shirkuh, both hoped to take the control of Egypt over from the Fatimid Caliphate. Saladin served as Shirkuh’s highest-ranking officer in the battle. This war is Shirkuh's tactic made him win. Accordingly, the army remained at headquarters until the allied forces arrived. Shirkuh concentrated his work in the center and left Saladin Ayyubî here. To the shîrkûh army; "The Egyptian and Crusader forces will think that I am in the center and will attack with all their might. Do not engage them seriously when they attack you. Don't risk yourself by going to war, stay out of their way. When they leave you, follow them immediately. He gave his order. Shirkûh then placed the stronger men of his men on the right flank. When the war finally began, the allies attacked the center. After a small conflict, Saladin and the soldiers under his command deceived the Crusaders and retreated in an orderly manner. This pursuit of retreat by the Crusaders brought their end. Because in the meantime, Shirkuh and his entourage defeated those who remained behind. Those in the middle follow the Muslim Soldiers. When the Crusaders returned, they found their soldiers dead and were defeated. they had to retreat[6][7][8]