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Battle of Meskiana

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Battle of Meskiana
Part of the Muslim conquest of North Africa
Date698
Location
Meskiana river
Result Berber victory
Territorial
changes
Dihya becomes the uncontested ruler of the entire Maghreb[1][2][3][4]
Belligerents
Umayyad Caliphate Berber tribes
Commanders and leaders
Hasan ibn al-Nu'man Dihya
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
Heavy losses
A number of Arab soldiers captured
Unknown

The Battle of Meskiana occurred in North Africa in 698 between the Umayyad forces of Hassan ibn al-Nu'man and Queen Dihya.

According to the historian Ibn Idhari after destroying Carthage, Hassan ibn al-Nu'man inquired about the most powerful chief in all of Africa.[1] He was told that it was Queen Dihya whom all the Berbers obeyed and that if he defeated her he would succeed in submitting the entire Maghreb.[1]

In 698, Hassan ibn al-Nu'man attempted to seize the Aurès but he was defeated by Dihya and forced to retreat to Libya.[1][5] The Umayyad army suffered heavy losses and a number of Arab soldiers were captured.[1][5] Following this victory Queen Dihya became the uncontested ruler of the entire Maghreb for around five years.[1][2][3][4]

References

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