Nur al-Din takes Damascus

Background

When Mu'in al-Din Unur died in 1149, the government of Damascus passed to Mujir al-Din Abaq of the Burid dynasty. Abaq continued at times to make agreements with the Kingdom of Jerusalem and pay it tribute against Nur al-Din. Nur al-Din, for his part, conducted propaganda among the people of Damascus criticising cooperation with the Franks and promoting the language of jihad.

Course of events

Nur al-Din besieged Damascus in 1150 and 1151 but did not take it. In 1153 the fall of Ascalon and Abaq's dependence on the Franks strengthened opposition inside the city. Nur al-Din applied economic pressure by blocking supplies coming into the city.

In April 1154 his army arrived before the city. On 25 April a group of inhabitants opened a gate on the east side and Nur al-Din's soldiers entered without meeting serious resistance. Abaq withdrew into the citadel, then surrendered in exchange for lands at Homs.

Outcome and significance

The union of Aleppo and Damascus largely removed the crusaders' ability to exploit rivalry among Syria's Muslim rulers. Nur al-Din built madrasas, a hospital and a house of justice in Damascus, turning the city into his seat of government. This unity laid the foundation for the struggle over Egypt in the following decade and for Saladin's rise.

Sources and debates

Ibn al-Qalanisi witnessed the surrender from Damascus and reports it in measured language. Abu Shama and Ibn al-Athir present Nur al-Din as an ideal ruler of jihad. The extent of Abaq's relations with the Franks and the breadth of popular support for Nur al-Din must be assessed with care because of the propagandistic character of the sources.