Battle of Yarmouk
636 CE · Jordan
The Battle of Yarmouk was fought in 636 CE in Jordan between Rashidun Caliphate vs the Byzantine Empire; decisive Muslim victory; Byzantine rule in Syria ended.
Battle of Yarmouk: quick facts
- Date
- 636 CE
- Location
- Jordan
- Belligerents
- Rashidun Caliphate vs the Byzantine Empire
- Commanders
- Khalid ibn al-Walid vs Vahan
- Result
- decisive Muslim victory; Byzantine rule in Syria ended.
- Era
- ⚔️ Ottoman & Islamic Empires
- Quiz difficulty
- hard
What happened at the Battle of Yarmouk?
The Rashidun Caliphate's forces under Khalid ibn al-Walid decisively defeated a much larger Byzantine army near the Yarmouk River. The six-day battle ended Byzantine control over the Levant and opened the way for the rapid Arab conquest of Syria, Palestine, and Egypt. A devastating dust storm blinded the Byzantines during the final assault, turning retreat into catastrophe as thousands fell into the river gorge.
Did you know?
Khalid ibn al-Walid never lost a battle in his entire career and was given the title 'Sword of God.' His cavalry tactics at Yarmouk are still studied in military academies today.
Sources and further reading
- Battle of Yarmouk on Wikipedia for the full account, historiography and primary sources.
- How BattleGuess compiles and checks battle facts: see the About page.
Entry last reviewed 26 September 2026.