What is Mongol Invasion Of Syria (1299)?

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The Mongol Invasions
Central Asia – Georgia and Armenia – Kalka River – Volga Bulgaria – Ryazan – Rus' – Sit River – Kse Dag – Legnica – Mohi – Baghdad – Ain Jalut – Korea – Japan (Bun'ei – Kōan) – Vietnam – Xiangyang – Ngasaunggyan – Yamen – Pagan – Bạch Đằng – Syria – Kulikovo – Vorskla – Ugra River

Starting in 1253, the Mongols made repeated attempts to invade Syria. Most failed, but they did have some success in 1260 and 1300, though each time they were beaten back by the Muslims a few months later.

1260 invasion

In 1253, the Mongols began their conquest of the remaining Muslim states. By 1259, the Mongol's entered Syria. At the time, Egypt, Libya, Makuria, Palestine and Syria (Excluding the Crusader states) were under the control of the Ayyubids. Mongol control was asserted as far south as Palestine, however the death of Mongke Khan forced most of Hulegu's gigantic army to withdraw from the area, leaving just 20,000 troops in Palestine. They were quickly destroyed by the Mamluk sultan, Qutuz at the Battle of Ain Jalut, and then defeated again at the Battle of Homs.

1271 invasion

The second Mongol invasion of Syria took place October of 1271. Under the request of the crusader Edward I, the King of England, 10,000 Mongols and Seljuk auxilliaries moved southwards from Rum and captured Aleppo, however they retreated back beyond the Euphrates when the Mamluk leader Baibars marched on them from Egypt.

1281 invasion

The third major invasion took place in 1281 under a pressured Abaqa Khan. Having crossed the Euphrates and captured Aleppo, the Mongols moved as far south as Homs with 80,000 men before they were beaten back to the Euphrates river at the 2nd Battle of Homs.

1299/1300 invasion

In early 1295, Ghazan Khan sent a letter to the Mamluks of Egypt talking of his conversion to Islam and how they were now common brethren. However, in 1299, he and his army crossed the Euphrates river and occupied the city of Aleppo. The army continued south through Syria until they were slightly north of Homs. The Mamluk relief force sent from Damascus met a Mongol army north-east of Homs numbering around 60,000 men with about 40,000 Georgian and Armenian Auxiliaries. The Mamluk force numbering at only 20,000-30,000 men was routed at the Battle of Wadi al-Khazandar. Although the Muslim historians who recorded the battle claim that the battle was in the favour of Egypt and that a false rumour of defeat caused the army to route. The Mamluk army on its retreat was then harassed by Maronite and Druze bowmen who wanted independence of the Mamluks.

The Mongol army continued south until it reached Damascus in early 1300. Most of the populace of Damascus (Upon hearing of the Mongol approach) had fled to Egypt and the governor of the city had entrenched himself deep inside. The populace left in the city was friendly towards the Mongols. Ghazan Khan wanted to spare the city the usual atrocities that came with Mongol conquests. However, the 10,000 strong army of Qypchaq, perhaps a Mamluk from the conquered lands of the Cumans, a Mamluk turncoat began to sack Damascus. This prompted the rest of the Mongol army to sack the surrounding area. Around 3,600,000 dirhams was plundered.

The governor of the city, Arjawash, who had entrenched himself within the centre of the city took up arms. The Mongols besieged the city for ten days, nearly destroying the entire city a before leaving the area. The reasons for the Ilkhan withdrawal is believed to be the Chagatai Mongols invading their eastern borders.

The Ilkhanate had occupied Syria for a little over three months.

After defeating the Chagatai invasion, Ghazan Khan returned to Syria in late 1300 and crossed the Euphrates river between 14/12/1300 and 11/01/1301. Panic arose in Damascus upon hearing of the renewed threat, especially since the Mamluk army in Syria withdrew to Egypt without even fighting the Mongols. A small section of the Mongol army however, was defeated near Aleppo by the post of Hamat. This created order in Damascus, enough for the governor to send for a larger relief force from Egypt. However, the Mongols had already left Syria due to a death in Ghazan Khan's family.

1303 invasion

The Ilkhanate returned to Syria in 1303 and travelled unopposed down the Levant until they reached Damascus. However, near Damascus they were once again defeated. The Battle of Shaqhab was a major defeat to the Mongols.

Christian actions

Main article: Franco-Mongol alliance

There were many communications between the Ilkhans and the Christian kings of western Europe, however almost all of this failed to take the shape of a joint military effort. The Mongols did have support from some Christian states that had submitted to them: Georgia, Cilician Armenia, and Antioch.

See also

• Battle of Ain Jalut
• Battle of Homs
• Second Battle of Homs
• Battle of Wadi al-Khazandar

Sources

• Adh-Dhababi's Record of the Destruction of Damascus by the Mongols in 1299-1301
• The Maronites and Lebanon

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