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Muslim leaders aimed at putting an end to the Crusades
in the Islamic world. Salah Ad-Din (Saladin) restored Jerusalem and
Al-Aqsa Mosque. When Sultan Baibars came to power in Egypt (1260–1277
CE), he followed the same track as Salah Ad-Din and conquered Arsuf,
Safar, Jaffa, Ash-Shuqaif Fort, Tripoli, the Krak des Chevaliers, Homs,
Hama, and Famah, until he drew a siege around Antioch in 1268 CE.
Antioch was the strongest principality in the Levant and
received support from Europe. In addition, it held a treaty with the
Tartars against the Muslims. Sultan Baibars invaded it at the beginning
of Ramadan, and managed to conquer it by Allah’s grace on Saturday,
Ramadan 14.
The collapse of Antioch had a huge affect on the
remaining Crusaders’ strongholds, leading the Crusaders to hold a
truce with Sultan Baibars. This truce served as a period of preparation
for new rounds of struggle and liberation.
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