Muflih al-Turki facts for kids

Muflih al-Turki (who died on April 2, 872) was a brave Turkish military leader. He served the Abbasid Caliphate in the middle of the 800s. Muflih was very important during a time of trouble called the Anarchy at Samarra. Sadly, he was killed fighting against rebels in southern Iraq. These rebels were part of the Zanj Rebellion.

Muflih's Military Career

Early Military Life

Muflih was a close friend and helper of a powerful general named Musa ibn Bugha al-Kabir. He might have been Musa's main assistant. We first learn about Muflih from a historian named al-Tabari. This was during a big fight called the civil war of 865–866. Muflih was part of the army that surrounded the city of Baghdad.

After the war, Muflih went with Musa to a place called Jibal. Musa became the governor there in 867. While in Jibal, Muflih was Musa's second-in-command. He led several military trips. He defeated a ruler named Abd al-Aziz ibn Abu Dulaf near Hamadhan and al-Karaj. He also attacked people living in Qumm.

Campaigns in Tabaristan

In 869, Muflih entered a region called Tabaristan. This area was controlled by a rebel leader named al-Hasan ibn Zayd. Muflih managed to defeat al-Hasan. He took control of two cities, Sari and Amul.

Muflih then started heading towards Daylam, where al-Hasan had run away to. But Musa called him back. Musa had decided to return to the capital city, Samarra. So, Muflih left Tabaristan. This allowed al-Hasan to take back control of the area.

Supporting the Caliphate

After returning to Samarra, Muflih strongly supported Musa. This was during the short rule of the caliph al-Muhtadi (869–870). Muflih helped bring down another general named Salih ibn Wasif. People thought Muflih was involved in a plan to remove the caliph from power.

In 870, Musa, Muflih, and Bayakbak went to Upper Mesopotamia. They fought against a rebel leader named Musawir. They forced him to run away. While they were there, Musa and Muflih found out that al-Muhtadi was planning to arrest or kill them. So, they stopped their fight and marched their troops back to Samarra. During this difficult time, al-Muhtadi was removed from power and killed. Musa and Muflih were then able to return to the capital.

Soon after al-Mu'tamid became caliph (870–892), Muflih went back to al-Jazira. He continued to fight Musawir. He forced the rebel to leave al-Haditha for a short time. However, Muflih could not kill or capture Musawir. He eventually returned to Samarra. Around early 872, he went to Takrit. There, he fought some Arab tribes who were thought to be helping Musawir.

Final Battle and Death

In February 872, Muflih and the caliph's brother, Abu Ahmad ibn al-Mutawakkil, decided to fight against the Zanj rebels. They set out for Basra. On April 1, they fought the Zanj near the Abu al-Khasib Canal. Sadly, Muflih was badly hurt by an arrow that hit him in the head. The government army was defeated.

Muflih died from his wound the next morning. His body was taken to Samarra and buried there. After Muflih's death, his son Abd al-Rahman seemed to take his place as one of Musa's main officers.