Battle of Yarmouk

The Battle of Yarmouk was one of the most decisive military engagements in medieval history, ending Byzantine control of the Levant. The Byzantine Emperor Heraclius assembled a massive force, variously estimated at 80,000 to 150,000, to dislodge the Muslim armies that had been spreading through Syria. The Muslim force numbered approximately 25,000 to 40,000 and was commanded overall by Khalid ibn al-Walid, who had been redeployed from Iraq at great speed. Over six days of intense fighting in the Yarmouk valley, Khalid's tactical brilliance repeatedly outmanoeuvred the larger Byzantine army. A dust storm on the final day aided the Muslim advance. The Byzantine force was routed, with enormous casualties. Emperor Heraclius reportedly lamented from afar: 'Farewell, O Syria, and what an excellent country this is for the enemy.' The defeat effectively ended Byzantine rule over Greater Syria and opened the way for the Muslim conquest of Palestine, Jordan, and Lebanon.