The Kingdom of Georgia had soon faced a new threat after the devastating invasions by Timur and subsequent enfeeblement of the kingdom.

Timur's death in 1405 had marked the beginning of the end of his empire, unified only by fear and blood of the subjected peoples.

Turkmens, particularly the Kara Koyunlu clan, are among the first to rebel against Shah Rukh, who rules most of Persia and Mawerannahr (Transoxiana).

Qara Yusuf, ruler of the Kara Koyunlu, defeats Shah Rukh, captures Baghdad, and repels the Timurids from western Persia.

After they establish themselves as the new leading power in the Near East, they take advantage of the temporary weakness of Georgia and launch attacks against the kingdom.