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The Islamic Campaign Against the Khazars was a military campaign launched by Caliph Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik to the Caucasus, led by his brother Musa ibn Abd al-Malik in Shawwal, 112 AH-December, 730 AD. It was part of several campaigns and raids carried out by Muslims during 112 AH-730 AD and 113 AH-731 AD after the death of Jarrah bin Abdullah al-Hakami and the Khazars' advance into Muslim territories in the Caucasus, beyond the river, and in Persia until they reached Mosul. This campaign was part of a series of campaigns launched by Muslims to counter the threat posed by the Khazars, protect Muslim territories, and recover lost lands.

When Jarrah, the governor of southern Caucasus, was killed, Caliph Hisham sent Sa'id bin 'Amr al-Harashi quickly to southern Caucasus with an army. He defeated the Khazars, freed the women and children of Jarrah al-Hakami and other Muslim prisoners from their clutches, and won several battles against them, avenging the Muslims.

However, Hisham did not stop at these victories. He appointed his brother Musa bin Abd al-Malik to southern Caucasus again in Shawwal, 112 AH-December, 730 AD, sending him with a large army that included some of the Umayyad emirs, such as his cousin Marwan bin Muhammad (the last Umayyad caliph). He also sent Abbas, the brother of Caliph Walid ibn Abd al-Malik, and his son Suleiman.

Musa arrived and initially stayed in the city of Bardhaa for a period before crossing the river and beginning his campaign by besieging the fortress of Hazan in Shervan. After a brief siege, he captured and destroyed it. He then marched towards Derbent (the Gate of Gates) with his army, joined by Muslim kings from the Caucasus mountains. Upon reaching Derbent, Musa did not engage in battle with its army.

He then moved to the surrounding fortresses but found no Khazari soldiers there. He proceeded to the city of F, where he also found no Khazars. Meanwhile, news of Musa's arrival reached the Khazar king, who gathered a large and powerful army to surprise the Muslims. The news reached Musa, who devised a plan that allowed the Muslims to retreat to a place called "Bab Waq" (Gate of the Water). The Muslim army dug trenches around themselves, but the Khazar king's army pursued them.

Musa then prepared his army for battle and it began. The Muslims emerged victorious, killing many Khazars. Musa devised another plan to kill the Khagan while he was in a carriage surrounded by his guards. The plan succeeded, but the king escaped. The fighting continued until the Khazars were defeated and fled.

Musa then marched towards Derbent and besieged its fortress for a long time. He eventually came up with a clever plan to make the Khazars flee from the city. He polluted the pipes that carried water from the city by pouring animal blood into them. When the Khazars tried to bathe and drink, they found the water contaminated with blood. Musa then retreated with his army, allowing the Khazars to open the gates of the city and flee, leaving behind their possessions and property.

Musa then entered the city, cleansed its pipes, and settled 24,000 soldiers from Syria in it. He appointed a commander over them and made his cousin Marwan bin Muhammad commander of his army. Musa returned to Damascus in Muharram, 114 AH-March, 732 AD, to inform his brother Hisham about the success of the campaign.

Background and Pre-Campaign

During the reign of Caliph Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik, the Umayyad Empire reached its peak, with its borders extending from the farthest reaches of China in the east to southern France in the west. Despite this expansion, the empire faced numerous threats on its northern borders.