Battle of Al-Anbar | |||||||
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Part of Islamic conquest of Persia and Campaigns of Khalid ibn al-Walid | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Rashidun Caliphate | Sasanian Empire | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Khalid ibn al-Walid | Shirzad[1] | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
9,000 | 30,000[2] | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
Few | 7,000 soldiers died[2] |
[2] The Battle of Al-Anbar (Arabic: معركة الأنبار) was between the Muslim Arab army under the command of Khalid ibn al-Walid and the Sasanian Empire. The battle took place at Anbar which is located approximately 80 miles from the ancient city of Babylon. Khalid besieged the Sassanian Persians in the city fortress, which had strong walls. Scores of Muslim archers were used in the siege. The Persian governor, Shirzad, eventually surrendered and was allowed to retire.[1] The Battle of Al-Anbar is often remembered as the "Action of the Eye"[1] since Muslim archers used in the battle were told to aim at the "eyes" of the Persian garrison.[1]