Battle of Dhat al-Salasil (Chains)

The Battle of Dhat al-Salasil (Battle of the Chains) was the opening engagement of the Muslim conquest of Iraq in 12 AH / 633 CE, commanded by Khalid ibn al-Walid. The battle is named after the Persian practice of chaining their soldiers together to prevent retreat, demonstrating their determination to hold the line. The Persian satrap Hurmuz ibn Hurmuz assembled a large force at Ubulla (modern Basra area) to repel the Muslim advance. Khalid engaged the Persian forces and killed Hurmuz in personal combat. The Persian army, despite being chained together, was routed. This victory opened the door to southern Iraq and gave the Muslims control of the vital port of Ubulla on the Persian Gulf. Khalid sent Abu Bakr the one-fifth share (khums) of the spoils, and the Persian chain armour was displayed in Madinah. This was the first battle of the Iraq conquests and demonstrated that the Sassanid Empire, weakened by decades of war with Byzantium, could be defeated.