The Tangier expedition was a campaign led by Maysara al-Matghari, in which he rebelled against Umayyad rule and headed with his Berbers followers to Tangier, where he defeated the Umayyad governor of the city and entered the city of Tangier, which became a base for the revolution against the Umayyads.
Background The Berber revolt in North Africa were provoked by the policy of Ubayd Allah ibn al-Habhab, who imposed excessive rates of taxation and was arbitrary in his treatment of the Berbers.ʿAbd-al-ʿAzīz ad, Dūrī, 2012, p. 69 Acting likewise were a number of his subordinates, especially the one in charge at Tangier, the delegation of Berbers, headed by Maysara al-Matghari "the leader of the later revolt of (740)", went to Damascus during the caliphate of Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik with a number of grievances against injustices committed by his representatives, When they found no one who would pay heed to them, they returned to their country and the rebellion exploded under the leadership of Maysara.ʿAbd-al-ʿAzīz ad, Dūrī, 2012, p. 69
Expedition Capture of Tangier The revolt broke out on 15 August 740 in several places at once, as prearranged. Its quick success shows that it was carefully planned and that its secret had been well kept. The rebels rendered the oath of allegiance to Maysara al-Matghari as their caliph.Fāsī, Muḥammad, Ivan, eds 2000, p. 250Blankinship, Khalid Yahya 1994, p. 207 Maysara led the rebel forces against Umar al-Muradi the governor of Tangier, who came out of the city to fight and was immediately killed with most of his troops the Berbers then occupied Tangier, which it will be remembered was the chief military base for the western half of North Africa.Blankinship, Khalid Yahya 1994, p. 207Garcia Arenal, Mercedes 2006, p. 41 They are reported He did not only kill the greedy Arab ruler Umar al-Muradi, but also killed healthy and disabled Arabs, and even included young and old children, and young and old Arab women who were taken captive, thus applying the doctrines of the Kharijites.Mouliéras, Auguste 1899, p. 678Blankinship, Khalid Yahya 1994, p. 207Ḥamīd, Saʻd Zaghlūl 1993, p. 288
Battle of Sous al-Adna Maysara confirmed Abd al-A'la ibn Larij al-Afriqi as the governor of Tangier, while he himself marched to "Sūs al-Adnā" which was governed by ismail ibn Ubayd Allah. Isma'il sent an army against him, but Maysara defeated it and then attacked the Umayyad forces' camp at night slaying Isma'il. At this point the rebels had control of all of modern Morocco,Blankinship, Khalid Yahya 1994, p. 207Ḥamīd, Saʻd Zaghlūl 1993, p. 289 those initial victories encouraged the flames of revolution against the Arabs throughout the Maghreb, all the Berbers revolted against the Umayyad governors in their cities, either killing or expelling them.Ḥamīd, Saʻd Zaghlūl 1993, p. 289
Aftermath At this point, the rebels became discontented with Maysara and slew him. In his stead, they set up as caliph Khalid ibn Hamid al-Zanati who led the tribes of Northern Morocco towards the Chelif River,Garcia Arenal, Mercedes 2006, p. 41 routing the Arab armies on his way East in Battle of the Nobles which was a humiliating slaughter of the flower of the Arab aristocracy.Fāsī, Muḥammad, Ivan, eds 2000, p. 250
See also Berbers and Islam Muslim conquest of the Maghreb Berber Revolt Battle of Bagdoura Battle of the Nobles
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