Atsiz Bey who had had some activities in Syria
since the period of Sultan Alp Arslan had invaded the Jerusalem together with the Turkmens
in his command and then, captured Dimask (the Damascus of today) (June 1076). However,
Atsiz Bey was defeated by the Fatimi army in front of Cairo in the course of his military
expedition that he organised with the purpose of the invasion of Egypt (1077). Upon his
defeat and failures, Tacu'd-Devle who was Sultan Melikshah's brother sent Tutus to Syria
(1077-8). Tutus had been firstly in operation in the region of Aleppo. On the other hand, Fatimi army
besieged the city of Damascus after a while. Upon this blockade, Atsiz had to ask help
from the Ruler Tutus. The Fatimi army that had heard of the arrival of Tutus for help
withdrew. As a result, Tutus established dominion in Damascus. Then, Tutus had Atsiz
strangled and took the first step in the way of the foundation of Syrian Seljuk State.
Sultan Melikshah had fought with the Karmati people that caused great turmoils in Arabia
and Syria since the beginning of the century X. One of his famous commanders, Artuk Bey
had organised a military expedition to el-Ahsa and Bahrain, and he subdued there regions
under obedience (1076-77).
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