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 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, Hugh I of Empúries, and Ramon Borrell of Barcelona.[1][2]

Battle of Aqbat al-Bakr
Part of the Fitna of al-Andalus

The Iberian Peninsula in 1000 AD
Date2 June 1010
Location
Result Rebel 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
10,000 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.

References edit

  1. ^ "Biografía de Wadih" (in Spanish).
  2. ^ Suárez Fernández, Luis (1976). Historia de España Antigua y Media. Volume 23 of Manuales Universitarios Rialp. Ediciones Rialp. p. 667. ISBN 8432118826.
  • The information in this article is translated from its Spanish equivalent.

38°11′00″N 5°01′00″W / 38.1833°N 5.0167°W / 38.1833; -5.0167