Caliph Al-Muqtafi has been able to defend the 'Abbasid capital from various attacks, but he is ill-advised enough to support the rebellion of a son of the Seljuq Sultan of Hamadan, who in response marches against Baghdad and forces the Caliph to take refuge in the eastern quarter, initiating the Seljuq siege of Baghdad.

From January 12 to March 16, 1157, Al-Muqtafi successfully defends Baghdad against the coalition forces of Sultan Muhammad of Hamadan, and Atabeg Qutb-adin of Mosul.