Battle of the Iron Bridge

Part of the Arab–Byzantine Wars and
Campaigns of Khalid ibn al-Walid

Date

October 637 AD

Location

Antioch, Roman Syria

Result

Decisive victory by the Muslims

Antioch conquered by Rashidun Caliphate.

Belligerents

Rashidun Caliphate

Byzantine Empire,
Christian Arabs

Commanders and leaders

Khalid ibn al-Walid,
Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah

Heraclius

Strength

17,000

20,000-30,000

Casualties and losses

Minimal

10,000+

Decisive victory by the Muslims

The Battle of the Iron Bridge was fought between the Muslim Rashidun army and the Byzantine army in 637 AD. The battle took its name from a nearby nine-arch stone bridge spanning the Orontes River which had gates trimmed with iron. It was one of the last battles fought between the Byzantines and Rashidun Caliphate in the province of Syria. The aftermath of the battle marked the nearly complete annexation of the province into the Rashidun Caliphate with the fall of its capital.

The Rashidun army had achieved a decisive victory at the Battle of Yarmouk. Following this victory, they managed to gain control of the Levant. Jerusalem was conquered shortly afterwards. Rashidun forces then marched north, conquering other portions of the Levant. They penetrated into northern Syria near its borders with Anatolia intending to capture Antioch, and to secure the conquered lands from any possible threat from the north. After the conquest of Aleppo, Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah sent a column under Malik al-Ashtar to capture Azaz in Northern Syria, east of the Taurus Mountains. The capture and clearance of Azaz was essential to ensure that no large Byzantine forces remained north of Aleppo, from where they could strike at the flank and rear of the Rashidun army during the operation against Antioch. As soon as Malik rejoined the army, Abu Ubaidah marched westwards to capture Antioch, with Khalid ibn Walid leading the advance guard with his Mobile guard. The army marched westward directly from Aleppo via Harim and approached Antioch from the east.

...
Wikipedia