 Al-Mu'tazz was initially accommodating toward those in Samarra who opposed his bid for the caliphate, and did not compel anyone to swear the oath to him if they refused to do so.He did, however, write to commanders stationed throughout the empire requesting their support, and soon reinforcements were arriving in Samarra.As the conflict progressed, he steadily gained followers as members of al-Musta'in's camp began to defect to him.