Battle of Siffin

The Battle of Siffin (Arabic: مَعْرَكَة صِفِّينَ, romanized: Maʿraka Ṣiffīn) was fought in 657 CE (37 AH) between the fourth Rashidun caliph Ali ibn Abi Talib and the rebellious governor of Syria Mu'awiya ibn Abi Sufyan. The battle is named after its location Siffin on the banks of the Euphrates. The fighting stopped after the Syrians called for arbitration to escape defeat, to which Ali agreed under pressure from some of his troops. The arbitration process ended inconclusively in 658 though it strengthened the Syrians' support for Mu'awiya and weakened the position of Ali. The battle is considered part of the First Fitna and a major step towards the establishment of the Umayyad Caliphate.

Battle of Siffin
معركة صفين
Part of the First Fitna
DateJuly 26 to July 28, 657 AD
(8 Safar to 10 Safar, 37 AH)
Location
Siffin
(Tell Abu Hureyra, near Raqqa, Syria)
Result See Arbitration
Belligerents
Ali's forces of Iraq Mu'awiya's forces of Syria
Commanders and leaders
Strength
100,000–150,000 men 130,000–150,000 men
Casualties and losses
25,000 killed 45,000 killed
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