Battle of al-Sannabra

In the Battle of al-Sannabra (1113), a Crusader army led by King Baldwin I of Jerusalem was defeated by a Muslim army sent by the Sultan of the Seljuk Turks and commanded by Mawdud ibn Altuntash of Mosul.

Battle of al-Sannabra (1113)
Part of the Crusades
Date 28 June 1113 Location Al-Sinnabra 32°43′4.65″N 35°34′18.71″E Result Seljuk victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of Jerusalem	Seljuk Turks
Commanders and leaders
Baldwin I of Jerusalem	Mawdud ibn Altuntash Zahir ad-Din Toghtekin
Strength
700 Knights 4,000 Infantry	Unknown
Casualties and losses
1,000–2,000 killed	Unknown

Background

In the year 1113, the Seljuk Sultan, Muhammad I Tapar, ordered an offensive against the kingdom of Jerusalem. The Seljuk forces invaded Galilee in May of the same year. The Seljuk forces were led Mawdud ibn Altuntash and Zahir ad-Din Toghtekin. Before the invasion, the Crusaders launched raids on the Damascene territory, convincing Toghtekin to reconsider the establishment of any relations with the Crusaders, so he joined Mawdud with a sizable army. When the king of Jerusalem, Baldwin I, heard of the Seljuk invasion, he asked for assistance from Principality of Antioch and County of Tripoli. However, Baldwin decided not to wait for help and marched out of Acre with a force of 700 knights and 4,000 infantry.^[1][2]

Battle

Baldwin advanced to establish a base to patrol Galilee and not confront the enemy in a pitched battle. On June 28, both sides met at Al-Sinnabra in Galilee. According to historian Spencer C. Tucker, the Seljuks were about to cross the river, the Crusaders charged against them, and Mawdud feigned retreat. Too late to realize their mistake, the Crusaders met the main Seljuk force. They suffered heavy losses and were forced to retreat.^[2]

Another version, However, according to Thomas Asbridge, Baldwin encamped near the al-Sinnabra bridge, a crossing over the Jordan River south of the Sea of Galilee, without realizing that his enemies were stationed nearby, across the eastern shore. When the Seljuk discovered his position, they launched their assault. Pouring across the bridge, they quickly overran the surprised Crusaders, killing 1,000 to 2,000 men, including 30 knights. Baldwin himself escaped, losing his royal banner and his tent, key symbols of his regal authority.^[1] The survivors escaped to the hilltop west of Tiberias.^[1][2]

Aftermath

There Baldwin joined with the forces of Antioch and Tripoli. The Crusaders did not dare to attack and remained cautious. For the next two months, the Seljuks ravaged the kingdom countryside. They sacked Nablus and raided as far as Jaffa. On August, the Seljuks retreated from the holy land.^[1][2]