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The Zirid raid on Gabès was a military operation launched by the Zirids against the Norman governor of Gabès to try and reassert their dominance in Ifriqiya.
Background
In 1146, 200 Sicilian ships under George of Antioch capitalized on some factional strife to conquer Tripoli for the Norman throne, which triggered a domino effect, that rapidly delivered to the remainder of the Maghreb coast from Tripoli To Tunis, the prince of Gabès (a certain Yusuf) wrote to Roger II most humbly and servilely, delivering ho him the country he held and being satisfied to become an amil (vassal governor) to Roger.[1][2]
Battle
To the Zirids Of Mahdiyah, seeing their old governor turn allegiance to one of their rivals was outrageous[3] so Al Hasan laid siege on the city prompting the citizens of Gabès To massacre and torture, Emir Yusuf was then taken to Al Hasan and berated him saying, "You have given the Franks Muslim lands, and let your unbridled tongue censure me!"[4] his male part was cut off, and they gagged him by using it.[1][3][5] then his body was paraded around Mahdiyah where a crier proclaimed, "This is the reward of who ever strives to make the Franks masters Of Muslim lands!"[4]
Aftermath
Hearing the death of his amil, provided Roger II enough pretext to start his African strategy[1] according to Ibn Al Athir, a severe famine hit Ifriqiya in 1142, making the Zirids vulnerable,[6] and the mere appearance of George's 250 galley, on the morning of 22 June 1148, Al Hasan quit the city leaving it to fall, as Mahdiyah did not have the resources to survive a long siege[7][8] Susa And Sfax fell soon afterwards marking The Zirid Raid On Gabès as one of the last successful Zirid military operations.[1][9][10][11]
