The Battle of Susa was a military engagement fought in Sousse, Ifriqiya, in 1089, during the period of conflict between the Zirid dynasty and Arab tribal groups in Ifriqiya. The attack was led by Mālik ibn ʿAlawī, who attempted to seize the city but was ultimately forced to withdraw.
Background
Mālik ibn ʿAlawī had previously fought against the Zirid ruler Tamim ibn al-Mu'izz during the conflicts that affected Ifriqiya in the late 11th century between 1083–1084, Mālik gathered a large number of Arab tribesmen and marched against Mahdia, but he was repelled by Tamim. He subsequently moved against Kairouan, which he temporarily captured it before abandoning it when confronted by Tamim's army.
Several years later, in 1089, Mālik again undertook military action against Zirid territories. According to Ibn Idhari, he moved against Sousse with a group of his followers and entered the city, but was unable to achieve his objective.
Battle
According to Ibn al-Athir, Mālik ibn ʿAlawī marched towards Sousse with a large Arab forces and entered in the city by force. Fighting then broke out between his men and the city's inhabitants and troops. The fight resulted in a large number of Mālik's men being killed or taken prisoner.
Ibn Idhari gives a similar account, stating that Mālik entered Sousse with a group of his followers but failed to accomplish his objective. He was subsequently forced to flee, while some of his men were killed and others captured.
Aftermath
The attack failed to establish Mālik's control over Sousse. After suffering losses and having a number of his men captured, he withdrew from the city and returned towards the desert.
The episode was part of the continuing political and military instability of Ifriqiya during the later Zirid period, when the Zirid rulers faced repeated challenges from Arab tribal groups and other local powers.
References
Bibliography
Ibn al-Athir, Ali ibn al-Athir. Al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh. Ibn Idhari. Al-Bayan al-Mughrib fi Akhbar al-Andalus wa al-Maghrib.