The Tang campaigns against the Western Turks, known as the Western Tujue in Chinese sources, are a series of military campaigns conducted during the Tang Dynasty against the Western Turkic Khaganate in the 7th century CE.
Early military conflicts are a result of the Tang interventions in the rivalry between the Western and Eastern Turks in order to weaken both.
Under Emperor Taizong, campaigns are dispatched in the Western Regions against Karakhoja in 640, Karasahr in 644 and 648, and Kucha in 648.The wars against the Western Turks continue under Emperor Gaozong, and the khaganate is annexed after Gen. Su Dingfang's defeat of Qaghan Ashina Helu in 657.
The Western Turks attempt to capture the Tarim Basin in 670 and 677, but are repelled by the Tang.
The Second Turkic Empire defeats the fragmented Western Turks in 712, and absorba the tribes into the new empire.The areas controlled by Tang China come under the dynasty's cultural influences and the Turkic influence of the ethnically Turkic Tang soldiers stationed in the region.
Indo-European prevalence in Central Asia declines as the expeditions accelerate Turkic migration into what is now Xinjiang.
By the end of the 657 campaign, the Tang has reached its largest extent.
The Turks, Tibetans, and the Tang compete for control over Central Asia until the collapse of the Tang in the 10th century.
