The Battle of al-Qarakh was fought in 1033 at al-Qarakh city identified by the historian Vladimir Minorsky with modern Urkarakh in Dagestan, The battle followed after the defeat of the Sarir and Alans during their earlier campaign in the eastern Caucasus. The Alans allied with the Rus' attacked al-Qarakh but were defeated by the local Muslim defenders.
Background In 1032, the Alans and their allies had raided Shirvan. The returning forces were attacked by the forces of Derbent, resulting in a major defeat for the invaders.
According to the historical accounts the loss of the invaders in 1032, the defeat encouraged the Alans to take revenge and undertake another expedition against the Muslim frontier of the eastern Caucasus. In 1033, the Rus' and Alans attacked al-Qarakh.
Battle The invading forces advanced toward al-Qarakh, identified by Minorsky with modern Urkarakh in the Dakhadaevsky District of Dagestan.
The local Kaitags with the help of the Lezgins from the country of Lekia, the Muslim defenders confronted the invading force and defeated the Rus' and Alans. The battle prevented the attackers from advancing farther into the Derbent frontier.
The precise composition and strength of the defending army are uncertain. Later descriptions have associated the defenders with the local Kaitags and Lezgins from Lekia but the medieval account does not provide a detailed ethnic order of battle.
Aftermath The defeat at al-Qarakh ended the immediate Alan attempt to avenge the defeat suffered during the previous campaign. The battle formed part of a series of conflicts between the northern Caucasian powers and the Muslim states of Shirvan and Derbent during the first half of the 11th century.
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