Battle of Aqbat al-Bakr

The Battle of Aqbat al-Bakr (2 June 1010) was a battle of the Fitna of al-Andalus that took place in the area in and around Espiel, Spain. The battle took place between the forces of the Caliphate of Cordoba, whose forces were commanded by Sulayman ibn al-Hakam, and the Muslim rebel forces of the Catalan-Andalusian alliance of 30.000 Muslims with 9000 Catalan,^[1][2] trying to overthrow their Caliph overlords under the command of Muhammad ibn Hisham; Wadih al-Siqlabi, governor of al-Tagr al-Awsat; and several West Frankish counts and bishops, including Ermengol I of Urgell who was killed during the fight,^[3] Hugh I of Empúries, and Ramon Borrell of Barcelona.^[4][5]

Battle of Aqbat al-Bakr
Part of the Fitna of al-Andalus
The Iberian Peninsula in 1000 AD
Date 2 June 1010 Location Espiel, Caliphate of Córdoba Result Rebel-Catalan victory
Belligerents
Muslim Rebels County of Barcelona County of Empúries County of Urgell	Caliphate of Córdoba
Commanders and leaders
Muhammad ibn Hisham Wadih al-Siqlabi Ramon Borrell Hugh I Ermengol I †	Sulayman ibn al-Hakam
Strength
30,000 Muslims 9,000 Catalans	Unknown

The two armies met at Espiel on 2 June 1010 and the forces of the Caliphate of Cordoba were decisively routed, marking one of the first battles of the war and a significant gain for the rebel Catalan-Andalusian alliance. Although this battle took place in the general time frame of the Spanish Reconquista, it was not unusual for Christian and Muslim forces to join together to achieve common goals.