The huge army started moving from Hamdan west towards Iraq, through Arbeel to Al-Mosel, crossing the Tigris River, which was quite dangerous; then parallel to the river through Al-Jazeera to reach Nasebein (in Southern Turkey) about 170 km from Miafarkin. Holako was confident about his son’s army in Miafarkin, so he continued on his way invading Nasbein with no resistance worth mentioning. Then he headed west to invade Haran, Al-Raha, and then Al-Bera, all in Southern Turkey. He then went across the Phrates River from its east side to the west side of it (map 14); finally 50 km from Halab. These advances through Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Syria took a full year, 657 hijra; he arrived in Muharam of 658 hijra.

The Mongolian invasions consumed the year 657 hijra; Mongols went through Persia, Iraq, Turkey, and then Syria. Holako reached Halab at Al-Muharram of 658 hijra. The Mongolian forces attacked the Muslim city from all directions, but Halab refused to surrender. Leading the resistance was Toran Shah, Al-Nasser’s uncle; he was a real fighter, unlike his nephew. The Mongols sent blazing balls of fire while Al-Nasser’s army was 300 km away in Damascus.

The Fall of Miafarkin:

While Holako was surrounding Halab, his son Ashmout was surrounding Miafarkin. After eighteen months of siege the Muslim city fell in the hands of Mongols; none of the Muslim leaders felt sympathy to this resisting city. When Ashmout went in, he wanted to make Miafarkin an example for the rest of the Muslim world. The murderer killed all its inhabitants, burned all of its buildings and destroyed the city completely; but he kept Al-Kamel (the leader) to send to his father in Syria.

Holako gathered all his experience in torture and poured it all on top of Al-Kamel (may Allah shower him with mercy). Holako cut the body of the brave fighter piece by piece while he was alive, he even ordered him to eat his own flesh; that went on until the pure soul rose to its creator. “Think not of those who are slain in Allah’s way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord; they rejoice in the bounty provided by Allah: and with regard to those left behind, who have not yet joined them (in their bliss), the (martyrs) glory in the fact that on them is no fear, nor have they (cause to) grieve. They glory in the Grace and Bounty from Allah, and in the fact that Allah suffers not the reward of the Faithful to be lost (in the least).” [Qur’an 3:169-171 ]

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “No one who is admitted to paradise will ever wish to return to the life of this world even if he was offered everything upon the face of the earth, except the martyr who will wish to return to the world to be killed ten times for the great reward that is granted him.”

Some people might say, then what is the difference; the Caliph surrendered and died, while Al-Kamel fought and died; but I tell you, there is a big difference between dying as a martyr and dying shamefully like Al-Mostasem (the Caliph). There is no doubt, Allah has a time for everyone; bravery does not kill and cowardice does not lengthen anybody’s life. Holako cut Al-Kamel’s head and ordered his head to be taken around all Syrian towns then the head was hung on one of the doors of Damascus (Al-faradees), and then it was buried after in one of the mosques (which came to be known as the mosque of the head). We pray for mercy and forgiveness for Al-Kamel.

The Fall of Halab:

Muslims spirits were even lower, while the Mongols were strengthened by the fall of Miafarkia after a seven-day siege. Holako promised the people of Halab safety if they didn’t resist, but Toran Shah said it was only a trick, Mongols don’t keep promises. The majority of people decided to open up doors to the Mongols while Toran Shah and a small minority went to the castle and decided to fight from there. As soon as the Mongols went in, the expected happened again; they destroyed the city and killed its people (except Christians) and they even destroyed the city’s fences so nobody would be able to resist anymore.

Then Holako headed for the castle where Toran Shah and his followers were. The people resisted for four full weeks, after that the doors were broken and the castle was invaded; Holako killed all except Toran Shah. Some historians say that it was because Holako was so touched by the spirit of resistance and the courage of Toran Shah (but he would not have killed the rest of the fighters then!) I think that this explanation does not fit the vicious nature of that murderer. I think the more acceptable explanation is that he kept Toran Shah to avoid upsetting Ayoubies, especially since he had killed Al-Kamel a few days ago, and that Toran Shah was Al-Nasser Youssof’s uncle (of Damascus), so he might use him for negotiations later.

Holako then established his control over Halab; brought Al-Ashraf (of Hems) and gave him leadership of Halab (with Mongolian supervision of course). Holako then headed west to Harem (a Muslim fortress), which did not surrender; he attacked and killed everybody in it. He then headed more west to Antakia, where his friend Bouhamand was. He called for a meeting that included his allies to discuss the situation in the Middle East (according to the view of the Mongols). So, he received Haithoum (from Armenia), Bouhamand (from Antakia), Kikawes II, and Qalj Arslan IV of Salajeka.

Then Holako announced his decisions:

Haithoum would be rewarded for his help in Baghdad, Miafarkin then Halab.

The two Muslim Sultans Kikaws II and Qalj Arslan IV would return the cities that belonged to Muslims to the Armenian King to enforce Haithoum’s power and control over the area (they could not say no of course!).

Bouhamanad of Antakia would be rewarded for his support by giving him the Muslim city of Al-Lazikia, which was liberated by Salah El-Deen, and now it was given so easily back to Christians as a gift; again and again occupiers give what they don’t own to those who don’t deserve it.

The fourth decision was really strange, it was not to reward either Maithoum or Bouhamanad, it was only to establish the fact that Holako was now the master and the only master. The decision was to hire a new patriarch for the church in Antakia (which was governed by Christians).

Holako was not Christian, and the new patriarch was not from Antakia and was not even the same sect as Haithoum or Bouhamand; that was a slap on the cheeks for the church. The Greek patriarch Uminimios took the place of the Italian one, who came from Genoa, which is Catholic (and was followed by Christians of Western Europe {Catholicism}). The new patriarch was Orthodox (the Eastern European sect of Christianity); the two sects had major differences and even animosities.

This move was meant to prove to Antakia and Armenia that what Holako says goes, and to keep the animosity between both Antakia and Armenia; also to build bridges of friendship with the Roman emperor who was neighbouring the newly occupied land in Syria and Iraq. Of course that decision was an insult to Bouhamand but he knew his size compared to Holako’s and he accepted the new facts. Meanwhile, Holako was thinking about proceeding to Hamah, then Hems and finally to Damascus.

http://300035.dotdothktrade.tech/en/artical/3408722/The-Road-to-Halab