The Jihadist Policy of the Andalusian Prince Al-Hakam Al-Rabadi Towards the Spanish Kingdom of Asturias (180-206 AH/796-822 AD)

Abstract

This study dealt with the jihadist policy of the Andalusian Umayyad prince Al-Hakam Al-Rabadi (180-206 AH/796-822 AD), towards the Spanish Kingdom of Asturias and its allies. The study relied on the descriptive and analytical historical approach. In its introduction, it focused on the military relations with the Spaniards, prior to the reign of Prince Al-Hakam, that is, during the reign of Prince Hisham Al-Rida (172-180 AH/788-796 AD), then it traced the seven main campaigns conducted by Al-Hakam, from the year in which he assumed power until the last campaign in the year 200 AH/816 AD. The study showed the great interest that the prince paid to defending the northern cities and preventing Spanish expansions. Despite the long period of his reign, the strong campaigns he directed against the Spaniards, and the victories achieved by his armies, Prince Al-Hakam was unable to imitate his father’s rich jihadist career in terms of the number of campaigns and their results due to the turbulent internal conditions that befell his reign. In addition, his armies did not invest in their victories by placing military garrisons in the conquered areas to maintain their control as the Andalusian armies were content to practice economic warfare against the Kingdom of Asturias, especially in the area of the country and the castles, by sabotaging crops and property. Therefore, these campaigns were not able to make permanent strategic changes in the northern Andalusian political map, especially if one takes into account the complexities of the internal situation in the northern cities and the rapid changes in them, which ranged between rebellion and loyalty. This, in turn, enabled the Spaniards to maintain their previous borders, while being able to expand partially in the northeastern regions of the country.