Battle of Marj Ayyun

Battle of Marj Ayyun
Part of the Crusades
Saladin the Victorious. Gustave Doré, XIX century
Date 10 June 1179 Location Marjayoun, Mount Lebanon, Principality of Galilee of the Kingdom of Jerusalem Result Ayyubid victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of Jerusalem Knights Templar	Ayyubid Dynasty
Commanders and leaders
Baldwin IV of Jerusalem Raymond III of Tripoli Eudes de Saint-Amand (POW)	Saladin Sabek ad-Din[1] Ibn Jender Izz ad-din
Strength
1,000 to 10,000 Crusader lancers and cavalry[2]	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Heavy Unknown killed and wounded 70+ captured[2]	Light

The Battle of Marj Ayyun was a military confrontation fought at Marj Ayyoun near the Litani River (modern-day Lebanon) in June 1179 between the Kingdom of Jerusalem under Baldwin IV and the Ayyubid armies under the leadership of Saladin. It ended in a decisive victory for the Muslims and is considered the first in the long series of Islamic victories under Saladin against the Christians.^[3] However, the Christian King, Baldwin IV of Jerusalem, who was crippled by leprosy, was saved by his bodyguard and narrowly escaped capture.