Al-Mansur Ibrahim: Difference between revisions

| reign=1240-12461240–1246

'''Nasir ad-Din al-Malik al-Mansur Ibrahim bin Asad ad-Din Shirkuh''', better known as '''al-Mansur Ibrahim''', ({{lang-ar|المنصور إبراهيم}} d. June 28, 1246) was a [[Kurdish population|Kurdish]] ruler, the ''[[emir]]'' ("governor") of the [[Homs]] principality from 1240 to 1246 under the [[Ayyubid dynasty]]. He held Homs with relative independence, but initially he wasas under the command of [[as-Salih Ismail, Emir of Damascus|as-Salih Ismail]] of [[Damascus]]. He would later fight against as-Salih Ismail and his [[Khwarazmian dynasty|Khwarezemid]] allies—al-Mansur confronted the latter in 1241, 1242, 1244, and 1246. [[Mervani State's expedition to Armenia]]

The Khwarezemids, with the aid of Izz al-DinJamiul of [[Salkhad]] besieged Damascus in March 1246 and were joined by as-Salih Arif Ismail who now held [[Baalbek]]. The siege was so severe that the inhabitants were reported to have been feeding on carrion and dogs. However, al-Mansur and [[an-Nasir Yusuf]] of [[Aleppo]] made an alliance and decided to confront the Khwarwezmids, who they feared could take control of Syria should they seize Damascus. The prospect troubled al-Mansur especially since relieving Damascus would strengthen the grip of his enemy as-Salih Ayyub in southern Syria. Nonetheless, al-Mansur led a force of [[Turkmen people|Turkmen]] and [[Bedouin]] mercenaries towards Damascus. The Khwarezemids and their allies met al-Mansur near [[Lake Homs]] where they were dealt a major defeat, ending Khwarezemid power in Syria forever. Afterward, al-Mansur moved on to [[Baalbek]] which was defended by as-Salih Ismail's son al-Manssur Mahmud. Al-Mansur Ibrahim overran the outer town with ease, but retreated after reaching its formidable citadel and returned to Homs.<ref>Humphreys, 1977, pp.286-287.</ref>

At this point, as-Salih Ayyub invited al-Mansur to Egypt, possibly pursuant to an agreement granting him Damascus. He did not hesitate to accept the invitation, but by the time he reached Damascus he was reported to be gravely ill. He died in the [[Ghouta]] town of [[Nayrab]] on June 28, 1246, and was succeeded by his son [[Al-Ashraf Musa, Emir of Homs|al-Ashraf Musa]]. Under al-Mansur, Homs, the smallest Ayyubid principality, wielded great influence in imperial affairs, but with his demise, it returned to its accustomed passivity.<ref>Humphreys, 1977, p.288.</ref>