Nureddin Zengi'nin Dımaşk ve Menbiç'teki Askeri Faaliyetleri

Abstract

This paper aims at presenting the activities of Nur al-Din Mahmud Zengi in Damascus and Manbij, through both diplomatic and military means. He competed with the Crusaders in controlling Damascus and was successful in brining it under his control, which had many consequences in consolidating his strength in the region. One of the most important being the transfer of sovereignty from the Buri to Atabak dynasty.  This brought him closer to achieving his goal of uniting Syria with Egypt and thus widen the horizons of Jihad against the Crusaders. Also controlling Damascus had another impact on severing the alliance between the Toghtekin with the Crusaders. In dealing with the local population Nur al-Din resorted to the implementation of a wise policy based on munificence and distancing himself from any bloodshed. This is together with his eagerness on constructing Damascus and making it a symbol of Islamic civilization. As for the region of al-Jazeera (Mesopotamia) Nur al-Din was able to bring many of its cities and citadels under his control and particularly the city of Manbij. In this paper a historical methodological approach was adopted based on description, comparison and analysis of sources. The paper’s most important conclusion is that, Nur al-Din’s control over Damascus broke the barrier that separated the north and south of Syria.