Battle of the Bridge

Significance

The Battle of the Bridge, fought on the bank of the Euphrates between Rashidun Caliphate forces under Abu Ubayd al-Thaqafi and a Sasanian army under Bahman Jadhuyih, stands as the only major Sasanian victory over the Rashidun Caliphate during the Muslim conquest of Persia. Rashidun casualties of 6,000–7,000 from a force estimated between 6,000 and 10,000 indicate that the Caliphate army suffered devastating losses, making this engagement an exceptional reversal within a campaign that otherwise proceeded largely in the Rashidun favor. The Sasanian force of approximately 10,000 matched or exceeded the Arab strength, and the outcome demonstrated that the Sasanian Empire retained the capacity to inflict a significant defeat on its Arab opponents despite the broader trajectory of the conflict running against it.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (4)