Tang campaign against the Eastern Turks

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Tang campaign against the Eastern Turks
Tang's campaign against Eastern Turks in 629 - 630
Date 629-630[1][2] Location Dingxiang, Gobi Desert and Hetao Plain Result Tang victory Fall of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate Establishment of Anbei Protectorate
Belligerents
Tang dynasty	Eastern Turkic Khaganate
Commanders and leaders
Tang Taizong Li Jing Li Shiji Xue Wanche Chai Shao Wei Xiaojie Li Daozong Su Dingfang	Jieli Khan (Ashina Duobi)  (POW)
Strength
100,000	150,000
Casualties and losses
very light	at least 10,000 dead; 100,000 surrendered

The Tang campaign against the Eastern Turks of 629-630 was an armed conflict that resulted in the Tang dynasty destroying the Eastern Turkic Khaganate and annexing its territories.

The Khaganate, led by Illig Qaghan, threatened the Tang early in the reign of Emperor Taizong (r. 626–649). The Tang waited several years to prepare for war by appeasing the Khaganate. The Tang also formed an alliance with the Xueyantuo, Khaganate's vassals seeking independence. The Tang offensive launched in the winter of 629, led by General Li Jing; the Khaganate was destroyed following Illig Qaghan's capture in 630.

Initially, the Tang attempted to settle the Eastern Turks within its borders, and left the territory north of the empire to the Xueyantuo. This changed when Ashina Jiesheshuai, of the Eastern Turkic royal house, attempted to assassinate Taizong. The Eastern Turkic Khaganate, led by Qilibi Khan, was reestablished as a Tang vassal by resettling Eastern Turks between the Great Wall and the Gobi Desert. The new Khaganate was intended to be a buffer against the Xueyantuo. Qilibi Khan's reign collapsed around new year 645 from internal dissent and Xueyantuo pressure.

The Tang made no further attempts to create an Eastern Turkic vassal. The hostile Second Turkic Khaganate was founded by Ilterish Qaghan during the reign of Taizong's successor, Gaozong.