Siege of Aleppo (1260)

In the 11th century, Aleppo became a contested center of power between competing Seljuk leaders and local dynasties. Alp Arslan ibn Chagri-beg faced internal conflict within the Seljuk clan early in his reign, defeating rival family members and consolidating authority. He later extended Seljuk influence into Syria and made the Mirdasid dynasty of Aleppo his vassal in 1070.^[1] After receiving the submission of Harran and Edessa, Mongol leader Hulagu Khan crossed the Euphrates, sacked Manbij and placed Aleppo under siege.^[2]

Hulegu left Azerbaijan in September 1259 and sent advance forces under the Kitbuqa Noyan ahead of the main army. The Mongol forces moved through the regions east of Lake Van, passing through Diyarbakir, where they began systematically subduing towns in Upper Mesopotamia. Hulagu himself captured several settlements, including Edessa, Nusaybin, and Harran, before advancing across the Euphrates River toward Syria.^[3]

As the Mongol army approached Aleppo, an-Nasir Yusuf abandoned the city and withdrew toward Damascus, while the Mongols prepared for the assault using numerous catapults to batter the city's defenses. In January 1260, Helagu's forces crossed the Euphrates and invested Aleppo. The city was defended by local garrisons under al-Malik al-Mu'azzam Turanshah, a son of Saladin. Mongol troops captured the city after a week-long siege, while the citadel held out for an additional month before surrendering.^[4][5]

Despite the fall of the city, Helagu allowed the surviving defenders to live, though the citadel was subsequently destroyed. Following the capture of Aleppo, the Mongols received the submission of nearby cities, including Harim, Hama, and Homs. Local rulers who submitted were either reinstated in their positions under Mongol oversight or replaced by Mongol-appointed officials.^[5]