Editing 965 (section)

==== Byzantine Empire ====
* [[Arab–Byzantine wars#Byzantine resurgence, 863–11th century|Arab–Byzantine War]]: Emperor [[Nikephoros II Phokas|Nikephoros II]] conquers the fortress cities of [[Tarsus, Mersin|Tarsus]] and [[Mopsuestia]]. The Muslim residents abandon the defense and flee into [[Syria]]. Nikephoros completes the conquest of [[Cilicia]]; Muslim raids into [[Anatolia]] (modern [[Turkey]]) permanently cease. [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] troops under General [[Niketas Chalkoutzes]] occupy [[Cyprus]], liberating the [[Greeks|Greek]] population from Muslim domination.<ref>W. Treadgold. ''A History of the Byzantine state and Society'', p. 948.</ref>
* [[Battle of the Straits]]: The Byzantine attempt to recover [[Emirate of Sicily|Sicily]] fails, when the [[Byzantine navy|Byzantine fleet]] is annihilated by the [[Fatimid Caliphate|Fatimids]]. The last Byzantine stronghold on the island, [[Rometta]], surrenders. The population is massacred, and the survivors are sold into [[Muslim slave trade|slavery]].  Caliph [[Al-Mu'izz li-Din Allah]] completes the conquest of Sicily, and establishes naval superiority in the Western [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]].