King Hugh III of Antioch had signed…

King Hugh III of Antioch had signed a treaty with Sultan Baibars concerning Latakia following the fall of the Principality of Antioch in 1268 to the Mamluks under Baibars.

Under the treaty, concluded on July 4, 1275, the town obtained its freedom from the Muslims in return for an annual tribute.

Remaining as a truncated Crusader enclave, Latakia had lost its prominence and was already declining as other ports, such as Tripoli and Alexandria, developed.

Baibars had been forced to surrender Latakia to Emir Sunkur of Damascus on July 24, 1281, but had regained control of the city after the fall of Sunkur.

In 1287, an earthquake devastates the town and causes widespread damage to the fortifications, destroying the Pigeon Tower, the Pier Tower and the lighthouse.

Taking advantage of this misfortune, Sultan Qalawun, who had already captured the great Hospitallers castle of Margat, immediately dispatches Emir Turuntay to attack the town.

On April 20, 1287, Latakia falls to Turuntay.