Battle of Yarmouk (Islamic history)

It is a ppt work of a major islamic battle.

1. Battle of Yarmouk

2. Table of Contents Introduction Strength and weaponry of both armies Strategy and events of the battle Results of the battle

3. Introduction The Battle of Yarmouk is a major battle in the history of Islam which took place in 636 A.D. It was fought between the army of the Byzantine Empire and the Muslim Arab forces of the Rashidun Caliphate. The battle lasted for six days near the Yarmouk River, along what today are the borders of Syria, Jordan and Israel. The Battle of Yarmouk is regarded as one of the most critical battles in military history and one of Khalid bin Walid's greatest military victories. Location of the battle Syria

4. Muslim Army Most early accounts place the size of the Muslim forces between 24,000 to 40,000. During a council of war, the command of the Muslim army was transferred to Khalid bin Walid(Sword of Allah) by Abu Ubaidah, Commander in Chief of the Muslim army. After taking command, Khalid reorganized the army into 36 infantry regiments and four cavalry regiments, with his mobile guard, held in reserve. The army was organized in a tight defensive infantry formation. Helmets, Mail, Heavy leather sandals, hardened leather scale were used for protection. Infantry soldiers were more heavily armoured than horsemen. Large wooden shields, Long-shafted spears, infantry spears, cavalry spears and infantry swords were used.

5. Byzantine Army Most early accounts place the size of the Byzantine forces between 80,000 to 260,000 . Generally agreeing that the Byzantine army and their allies outnumbered the Muslim Arabs by a sizeable margin. The Byzantine army at Yarmouk was a multi-ethnic force, comprising Greeks, Syrians, Armenians, and Mesopotamians. While the exact composition of the army is impossible to tell. The Byzantine cavalry was armed with a long sword (known as the spathion), a light wooden spear (known as a kontarion) and a bow. Heavy infantry had a short sword and a short spear. The lightly armed Byzantine troops and the archers carried a small shield and a bow.

6. Events of Battle Khalid bin Walid (R.A) deploys his force in four separate divisions that operate largely on their own. They are backed by the Muslim cavalry: one for each flank, one for the centre and another mobile guard kept in reserve. Vahan deploys his force similarly in four separate division except that they are larger and each boast their own cavalry units. Vahan also keeps a sizeable cavalry reserve to the rear.

7. On the second day , Vahan launches a firm assault; he pins the centre while aggressively attacking the opponent’s wings. Some infantry on these wings retreat to camp under pressure of the Byzantine attack, critically weakening both Muslim wings. The women came out and threw pebbles at their men for retreating and pressuring them to return and fight. Day 2 - Muslim counter attack on the Roman left flank Day 2 - Roman attack from the right and left flank Day 2 - Muslim counter attack on the Roman right flank

8. On the third day , Vahan launches another determined attack; this time he again pins the centre but focuses on the weakened Rashidun right wing and leaves their left wing untouched. Casualties pile up on both sides but are significantly higher in the Byzantine ranks. Day 3 - Roman offensive on the left flank Day 3 - Muslim counter offensive on the left flank

9. On the fourth day , Vahan again seeks to shatter the opponent’s front by breaking through at one point and then exploiting another. After three days of fighting The Roman soldiers engaged Amr and Shurahbeel’s Corps. Amr’s men held their line but the Romans broke through Shurahbeel. The Roman archers launched an arrow barrage, which covered the blue sky black with arrows sailing across and impaling their victims with deadly accuracy. 700 Muslims lost an eye and the day become known as the ‘ day of lost eyes ’. Day 4 - Roman offensive on the left flank Day 4 - Abu Ubaidah (RA) and Yazeed pin down the Romans Day 4 - The Roman right chase the retreating Muslims

10. Both sides take the fifth day to rest, masked by useless discussions and challenges. The ranks of both forces have thinned greatly but is more noticeable in the Byzantine force On this day, Khalid decides that the Byzantine morale and ranks have been weakened enough to launch his first and hopefully only attack. He gathers all of his cavalry into a single, powerful strike group. Vahan still possesses fresh cavalry reserves which have yet to engage in battle.

11. The Final Day Khalid (RA) ordered his cavalry forward in formation; they rushed close behind Amr al–Aas’s men. Khalid (RA) noticed a gap forming between the Roman infantry and the Roman cavalry. As soon as Amr’s men engaged, Khalid (RA) broke out into a fast gallop and rushed towards right. The entire cavalry followed Khalid (RA)’s lead and formed an arc behind him as he raced around the Roman flank. The Muslim cavalry attack the exposed Roman flank The start of the Muslim attacking

12. Resistance from the Roman left flank collapses Khalid (RA) attacks the Roman cavalry; Amr attacks the center Khalid (RA) attacks the main body of the Roman cavalry

13. Dhirar takes 500 mounted warriors around the Roman flank and occupies the only river crossing on the Raqqad the Roman infantry retreat towards the only escape route available

14. The Romans were packed tight. There was little room for manoeuvre. Those on the front line fought heroically but in a useless effort. Rank after rank were cut down. Screams of restlessness from the defenders were mixed with shouts from the attackers. The last of the Roman defence collapsed and the battle turned to killing. In the course of six days, a vastly outnumbered Arab army succeeded in defeating a significantly larger Byzantine force.

15. Results of the battle After A.D. 636 Syria was lost to the Christians. This great battle of Islamic history established Muslims supremacy in the region. The result of the battle was a complete Muslim victory which ended Byzantine rule in Syria. The Muslims extended their rule to Syria and Rome. It left the whole of the Byzantine Empire vulnerable to the Muslim Arab armies. The battle was the greatest battle ever fought on Syrian soil up to that point, and is believed to be the tactical marvel of Hazrat Khalid(R.A).