The Battle of the Bridge: clash of persian and arab

The Battle of the Bridge was fought between Arab Muslims led by Abu Ubaid Thaqfi, and the Persian Sasanian Empireforces led by Bahman Jaduya. It is traditionally dated to the year 634, and was the only major Persian victory over the invading Muslim armies.

The Muslim forces had already taken Hiraand pillaged the surrounding Arab-inhabited areas of Mesopotamia, on the banks of the Euphrates.The fall of Hirashocked the Persians, as the "youthful Yazdgard, began to take the business of the Arabs more seriously." Yazdgard sent forces to the Arab border areas, and looked to be gaining the upper hand, asAl-Muthanna had to call for reinforcements from Medina.

The new Caliph, Umar, sent Abu Ubaid to Mesopotamia to take command from Al-Muthanna. He encountered the main Persian force under Bahman Jaduya, near what is the present site of Kufa. The two forces faced each other on opposing banks of the Euphrates. As it was crossed by a bridge, the battle came to known as the Battle of the Bridge.

Abu Ubaid took the initiative, and crossed the river. According to accounts, the sight of the elephants in the Persian army frightened the Arab's horses. A white elephant apparently tore Abu Ubaid from his horse with its trunk, and trampled him under foot. At this, and the inability of the Arabs troops to push back the Persians who had formed a rigged line close to the bridge, the Arabs panicked and fled.

According to tradition, Al-Muthannarefused to flee, and remained to fight, losing 4,000 men - although any accurate estimates of the figures involved in this and other contemporaneous battles are not known. But sources agree that for whatever reason, Bahman Jaduya did not pursue the fleeing Arab army.

Battle of the Bridge
Part of the Muslim conquests
Date November 634 Location Marauha at the Euphrates near Kufa,Iraq Result Sasanian victory[1]
Belligerents
Rashidun Caliphate	Sasanian Empire
Commanders and leaders
Abu Ubaid †[1]  Al-Muthanna	Bahman Jadhuyih
Strength
Unknown	10,000[2]
Casualties and losses
4,000	Low

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