Battle of Hama

Battle of Hama
Date29 November 903
Location
near Hama, Syria
Result

Decisive Abbasid victory

  • Elimination of the "Fatimid" Bedouin from the western Syrian Desert
  • Opening of the way for the reconquest of Tulunid Egypt
Belligerents
Abbasid Caliphate
Banu Shayban
Banu Tamim
"Fatimid" pro-Isma'ili rebels
Commanders and leaders
Muhammad ibn Sulayman al-Katib
al-Husayn ibn Hamdan
Yahya ibn Zakarawayh 
Zakarawayh ibn Mihrawayh 
almubashir bin al-Nu'man  
Al-Husayn ibn Zakarawayh  Executed
Strength
Unknown 4,900 cavalry
3,000 infantry
Casualties and losses
Unknown Very heavy; many killed
Over 1,100 horses captured

The Battle of Hama was fought some 24 km (15 mi) from the city of Hama in Syria on 29 November 903 between the forces of the Abbasid Caliphate and pro-Isma'ili Bedouin (called "Fatimids" or "Qarmatians"). The Abbasids were victorious, resulting in the capture and execution of the Isma'ili leadership. This removed the Isma'ili presence in northern Syria, and was followed by the suppression of another revolt in Iraq in 906. More importantly, it paved the way for the Abbasid attack on the autonomous Tulunid dynasty and the reincorporation of the Tulunid domains in southern Syria and Egypt into the Abbasid Caliphate.