siege siege fought allies arab muslims small fortress remaining arab strongholds attacked personal direction ruler defence lasted days ended negotiated withdrawal garrison famous arabic literature failed save arab position region background region arabic conquered leader reign following muslim conquests persia century loyalty native iranian populations autonomous local rulers remained questionable requested aid chinese response launched series attacks muslims coupled uprisings local governors initially managed suppress unrest control lost governor muslim ibn army suffered heavy defeat called day hands tried recapture defeat pushed arabs defensive pitched battles took place years arab position collapsed swiftly face attacks widespread anti arab revolt fortresses remained arab hands siege new arab governor ibn managed cross reach stiff opposition allies arab victory narrow able withdraw region brought near arab fortress fortified town seven roughly kilometres miles west subsequent siege narrated history kings words described set pieces war army included contingents capital modern town near approached road reached allies left road camp town garrison unaware approach movements screened hill morning arabs took animals water climbed hill amazed encounter mountain steel enemies army writes arabs sent animals hill river lure way town soon discovered began pursuing arabs knew terrain better managed reach town find refuge earthworks caught fierce fight developed attacked gates tried enter town arabs thrust burning wood driving moat evening withdrew arabs burned wooden bridge spanned moat sent besieged approach wall grandson ruler father fled court china accompanied hopes recovering ancestral throne approached garrison urged surrender offered safe conduct proclaiming restoration realm arabs refused hear abuses writes presence taken indication rebels receiving encouragement china chinese records silent expedition failure sent local garrison bringing arab captives arabs offered arab garrison army doubling salary proposal rejected disdain arab ibn words arabs wolves sheep reply infuriated companions threatened kill offered split garrison half wealth allowed retreat safely half remain service accepted offer sent convey terms garrison inside wall rejected terms fellow arabs resist ordered men fill moat green wood burn garrison countered throwing dry wood days moat arabs set aided strong wind hard work arab proved effective heavy toll including executed arab captives view garrison response arabs killed young locals held hostages despite desperate resistance narrative siege evidently drawing eyewitness accounts continues isolated episodes determined assault gate managing climb wall repelled prince companions assaulted breach wall led house killed house elderly sick owner family arabs wooden boards lining irrigation ditches improve earthworks time coming inspect arab fortifications received arrow shot face saved helmet nose guard defence garrison irritated blamed allies claiming town days days months length resumed negotiations offered safe conduct arab hands garrison sent rider ask advice told choose closer days according garrison water thirty days siege arabs exchanged hostages including important nobles sides mutual massacre captives early siege arabs refused leave army departed arab dagger hand seated hostages wore armour arab garrison approached garrison believed fallen soldiers coming battle rider sent troops alerted real situation men forward carry weak walk wounded hostages began released arabs sending hostage turn releasing hostages held end hostages left willing let hostage arab hostage volunteered let act richly rewarded suit armour horse aftermath writes fame defence spread far wide brought little relief pressure arabs lost neighbouring revolt broke nonetheless swiftly suppressed local arab settlers remained major outpost arab rule deep subsequent operations sides focused attempting relieve siege city arabs suffered battle followed complete collapse arab position arabs able recover position governorship ibn managed establish authority
Siege of Kamarja