ORDER OF BATTLE // January 1, 0633
Battle of al-Anbar
Estimated force strength by side, with confidence labels per surviving record.
Forces engaged
2 sides catalogued · combined 39,000 estimated
Rashidun Caliphate
9,000
Medium-confidence figure
Sasanian Empire
30,000
Medium-confidence figure
Battle context
The Battle of al-Anbar was fought as part of the early Muslim conquest of Persia, in which Khalid ibn al-Walid led a Rashidun force of approximately 9,000 against a Sasanian garrison reported at 30,000 at the fortified city of Anbar, roughly 80 miles from ancient Babylon. Despite the disparity in force sizes, the battle resulted in some 7,000 Sasanian casualties and the eventual surrender of the Persian governor Shirzad, who was permitted to retire. The fall of Anbar represented the reduction of a significant Sasanian stronghold in the Mesopotamian theater and extended Rashidun reach deeper into Persian-held territory during the opening phase of the conquest campaign.
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