Prince Raymond has allied himself with Ali…
June 1149 CE
Prince Raymond has allied himself with Ali ibn-Wafa, leader of the Hashshashin and an enemy of Nur ad-Din.
Before he has collected all his available forces, Raymond and his ally mount a relief expedition.
Amazed at the weakness of Prince Raymond's army, the atabeg at first suspects that it is only an advance guard and that the main Frankish army must be lurking nearby.
Upon the approach of the combined force, Nur ad-Din raises the siege of Inab and withdraws.
Rather than staying close to the stronghold, Raymond and ibn-Wafa camp with their forces in open country.
After Nur ad-Din's scouts note that the allies have camped in an exposed location and have not receive reinforcements, the atabeg swiftly surrounds the enemy camp during the night.
Nur ad-Din attacks on June 29 and destroys the army of Antioch.
Presented with an opportunity to escape, the Prince of Antioch refuses to abandon his soldiers.
Nevertheless, both Raymond and ibn-Wafa are killed, along with Reynald of Marash.
A few Franks escape the disaster.
Much of the territory of Antioch is now open to Nur ad-Din, the most important of which is a route to the Mediterranean.
Nur ad-Din rides out to the coast and bathes in the sea as a symbol of his conquest.