The Akhlat fitna and massacre (604 AH)

In 604 AH the people of Akhlat rose against the army of al-Malik al-Awhad Najm al-Din ibn al-Adil. al-Awhad returned, took the city and killed a great many people. ¹

After al-Awhad had taken Akhlat, he left for Malazkird. Its people rose against the troops left in the city, drove them out and besieged the citadel. They called out the slogan of Shah Armen, though he was dead, meaning to restore rule to his companions and mamluks. ¹

al-Awhad came back with an army from al-Jazira and besieged Akhlat until some of its people inclined toward him, out of envy of the others. He took it and killed a great many people there. ¹

He captured a group of notables and sent them to Mayyafariqin, and sent for them every day and killed a group of them, so that only a few were spared. ¹

Ibn al-Athir says that the people of Akhlat were humbled after this battle. The word of the youths (fityan), who had held the authority, was scattered, and people were spared their harm, for they had come to set up one king and kill another. ¹

The year 604 AH is taken from "al-Kamil"; the date needs an additional source.