| Conflict: | Granada campaign (1125–26) |
| Partof: | Reconquista |
| Date: | 2 September 1125 – 23 June 1126 |
| Place: | Province of Granada |
| Result: | Almoravid victory |
| Combatant1: | Almoravids |
| Combatant2: | Kingdom of Aragon |
| Commander1: | Ali ibn Yusuf Abu Tahir Tamim Abi Bakr |
| Commander2: | Alfonso the Battler Gaston of Béarn Rotrou of Perche |
| Strength1: | Unknown |
| Strength2: | 4,000-5,000 knights 15,000 infantry |
| Casualties1: | Heavy |
| Casualties2: | Heavy |
In 1125–1126, the Arago-Navarrese king Alfonso the Battler launched a military expedition to capture the city of Granada from the Almoravids. The expedition failed to achieve its objectives.
With the Aragonese victories, such as the capture of Zaragoza in 1118 and the Battle of Cutanda in 1120, increasing and the weakness of the Almoravid armies showing, news of these victories soon reached the Mozarab populations of Andalusia, encouraging them to revolt against their Muslim rulers and supporting the Christian kingdoms. The Mozarabs of Granada were the wealthiest, most influential, and most populous of all Mozarabs.[1] They began sending messages to the Aragonese to help them, and they promised to provide support and men for Alfonso. Encouraged by his victory at Cutanda, Alfonso agreed to this offer.[2] [3]
On September 2, 1125, Alfonso left Zaragoza with an army of 4,000 to 5,000 knights and 15,000 infantry. Accompanied by Gaston of Béarn, Rotrou of Perche, and the bishops of Huesca and Zaragoza. By October 10, the Aragonese army had reached Valencia, where they engaged the Almoravid garrison. During his march, many of the Mozarabics joined the Aragonese. By the end of October, they arrived at Dénia, and another engagement happened where they failed to capture it, a similar result for Baza. They left for Guadix and reached there on November 11th, when Alfonso fought with the Moors for one month to capture it but failed.[4] [5] [6]
It was hard for the Almoravids to combine their forces against Alfonso's march, as he made sure to hide his true destination.[7] The Almoravid governor of Granada, Abu Tahir Tamim, prepared his forces to face the Aragonese raid. He received support from his brother, Ali ibn Yusuf, with enough men. In January, Aflonso arrived in Granada. His arrival created panic in the city. The fighting lasted for 10 days; however, due to bad weather, heavy rains, and reinforcements, Alfonso was forced to retreat on January 21, 1126. Alfonso blamed the Mozarabic leader, Ibn Qalas, for not providing enough aid for the siege.[8] [9] [10]
Alfonso began ravaging Andalusia's meadows and plundering on his way. His army was chased by the Almoravids, led by Abi Bakr, son of Ali bin Yusuf, and forced to enter a battle with the Moors in Arnisol, a few kilometers south of Lucena. The Aragonese army, however, routed the Almoravids on March 10.[11] This victory gave Alfonso enough time to return and attack Granada in the spring of 1126. He arrived in the south of the city and fought with the Moors for five days. Again, Alfonso failed to capture the city. The monarch decided to leave for home.[12] [13]
During his return march, the Moors attacked him near Guadix and inflicted heavy losses on the Aragonese. The return was not easy as they faced continuous attacks, along with disease and bad weather, killing many of them. Nevertheless, the Aragonese maintained good order and never broke up. Finally, the monarch arrived in Zaragoza on June 23.[14] [15]
Alfonso never achieved his objectives during his campaign, despite boasting about defeating the Moors and ravaging their lands.[16] Several 10,000 Mozarabs joined with the Aragonese during their return.[17] [18] The Almoravids punished the Mozarabs by deporting them from Andalusia. A Fatwa by Ibn Rushd al-Jadd ordered the deportation of Mozarabs to the Maghreb. A sizable number were deported, but this ruling was not general, as many Mozarabs stayed in other places such as Córdoba and Granada.[19] [20]