7th century – 7th century
Central Maghrib and Ifriqiya
Kusayla was a Berber leader of the Awraba, associated with the Sanhaja confederation, who first allied with Arab commanders before resisting the incorporation of Berber territories into the Umayyad realm. After accepting Islam and cooperating with Abu al-Muhajir, he turned against Uqba ibn Nafi, defeated and killed him near Tahudha in 683, and ruled Kairouan and much of Ifriqiya. He was defeated and killed by Zuhayr ibn Qays at Mamma in 690.
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The Story
Kusayla appears in the conquest as the chief of the Awraba and a powerful Berber leader connected with the Sanhaja confederation. Byzantine envoys persuaded him to support the Byzantine cause after the Arab advance had begun to threaten the political autonomy of Berber territories. Yet his relationship with the Arab commanders was initially negotiated rather than permanently hostile.
In 678, Abu al-Muhajir met Kusayla in the Tlemcen region and explained Islam to him. Kusayla and his tribesmen accepted the faith and entered the Muslim community, becoming allies of the Arab advance. Their cooperation enabled further campaigns, including the conquest of the peninsula later called Djazirat Sharîk and the attack on Carthage.
The alliance collapsed after Uqba ibn Nafi returned to command. Uqba invaded the Awraba homeland despite Abu al-Muhajir's warning that Kusayla was already a Muslim ally. Kusayla waited until Uqba's army was weakened during its return from the Atlantic coast, then allied with Christian forces in the Atlas Mountains. Near Tahudha in 683, he surrounded and defeated Uqba, after which he seized Kairouan and governed Ifriqiya.
Kusayla's rule ended when Zuhayr ibn Qays reconquered the province. The decisive battle of Mamma took place in 690, where the Arab army defeated the Berbers and killed Kusayla. The Awraba subsequently abandoned the Tlemcen region and settled north of the Sebou around Volubilis.
7th century – 7th century
Central Maghrib and Ifriqiya
Kusayla was a Berber leader of the Awraba, associated with the Sanhaja confederation, who first allied with Arab commanders before resisting the incorporation of Berber territories into the Umayyad realm. After accepting Islam and cooperating with Abu al-Muhajir, he turned against Uqba ibn Nafi, defeated and killed him near Tahudha in 683, and ruled Kairouan and much of Ifriqiya. He was defeated and killed by Zuhayr ibn Qays at Mamma in 690.
Continue exploring
The Story
Kusayla appears in the conquest as the chief of the Awraba and a powerful Berber leader connected with the Sanhaja confederation. Byzantine envoys persuaded him to support the Byzantine cause after the Arab advance had begun to threaten the political autonomy of Berber territories. Yet his relationship with the Arab commanders was initially negotiated rather than permanently hostile.
In 678, Abu al-Muhajir met Kusayla in the Tlemcen region and explained Islam to him. Kusayla and his tribesmen accepted the faith and entered the Muslim community, becoming allies of the Arab advance. Their cooperation enabled further campaigns, including the conquest of the peninsula later called Djazirat Sharîk and the attack on Carthage.
The alliance collapsed after Uqba ibn Nafi returned to command. Uqba invaded the Awraba homeland despite Abu al-Muhajir's warning that Kusayla was already a Muslim ally. Kusayla waited until Uqba's army was weakened during its return from the Atlantic coast, then allied with Christian forces in the Atlas Mountains. Near Tahudha in 683, he surrounded and defeated Uqba, after which he seized Kairouan and governed Ifriqiya.
Kusayla's rule ended when Zuhayr ibn Qays reconquered the province. The decisive battle of Mamma took place in 690, where the Arab army defeated the Berbers and killed Kusayla. The Awraba subsequently abandoned the Tlemcen region and settled north of the Sebou around Volubilis.
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