Battle of Hama (1178)

The battle of Hama happened in August 1178, when a Latin force raided the vicinity of Hama, which was under Ayyubid control. The Ayyubid repelled the raid and captured many prisoners who would be later executed.

In 1178, Saladin returned to Syria on a month-long journey from Cairo to Damascus to relieve the city of Harim from his enemies. That proved unnecessary. Saladin then spent the summer in Homs and its neighborhood. Despite his defeat at Montgisard, Saladin was far from discouraged, and in the next three months he was ready to meet the Franks again, but major drought conditions prevented him from doing that. The Latins, learning of Saladin's preoccupation with his affairs in Syria, decided to take an aggressive stance.

On August 17, The Latin crusaders marched towards Hama. Eager for plundering and raiding, they collected a considerable number of knights and infantry. They launched their raid and began plundering and burning the villages, killing and enslaving the inhabitants. When the Ayyubid garrison learned of the attack, they marched to meet them. They were led by Nasir al-Din Mengüverish bin Khumartigin. The Ayyubids defeated the Crusaders. Many crusaders were killed and taken prisoner. They also managed to recover the spoils looted by the Franks. The prisoners were taken to Saladin in Homs. He ordered the prisoners to be executed for laying waste on the land of Muslims.

The rest of the year was spent without any military action from both sides, and Saladin spent the winter in Damascus, preparing to face Baldwin's latest movement.