Uqba ibn Nafi became commander-in-chief of the Arab forces in North Africa in 670. He began his major expedition from Waddan, travelling through Fezzan and the southern Kawar region before moving north to Ghadames. Along the route, he established mosques, garrisons, and missionary installations, seeking to make Islamic authority durable rather than limiting the campaign to temporary raids.

Uqba then attacked Byzantine strongholds between Gabes and the site chosen for his new capital. He founded Kairouan as a military base and political centre, restored its mosque, and left a garrison of 6,000 men when he set out on his western campaign. His foundation gave the province of Africa, or Ifriqiya, an enduring administrative and military centre.

The campaign crossed the Aures Mountains and reached regions associated with Baghaya, Masila, Tiaret, Tlemcen, Tangier, the Tafilalet, and the Atlantic coast near Safi. Uqba defeated Berber and Christian forces, and the passage states that thousands of Berbers converted to Islam and joined his army. The expedition demonstrated the reach of the Arab advance, but it also deepened resistance among Berber leaders who opposed subordination to a distant caliph.

On the return journey, Uqba's forces were exhausted and many men moved ahead toward their homes. Kusayla used the resulting weakness to assemble Berber and Christian allies near Tahudha, south of Biskra. Surrounded by a much larger force, Uqba dismounted and fought alongside Abu al-Muhajir until he was killed in August 683. His tomb later became, in the passage's account, the most venerated holy place in North Africa.