Editing 1299 (section)

==== Levant ====
* December &ndash; Mongol forces (some 10,000 men) led by [[Ghazan|Ghazan Khan]] cross the [[Euphrates|Euphrates River]] and invade [[Syria]]. They continue south, and successfully take [[Aleppo]]. There, Ghazan is joined by forces from his vassal state of [[Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia|Cilician Armenia]]. King [[Hethum II of Armenia|Hethum II]] leads the Armenian army (which includes [[Knights Templar|Templar]] and [[Knights Hospitaller|Hospitaller]] knights). He participates during the Mongol offensive and regains all the Armenian territories which have previously been lost to the Mamluks.<ref>Kurkjian, Vahan M. (1958). ''A History of Armenia'', pp. 204–205. Indo-European Publishing. {{ISBN|978-1-60444-012-6}}.</ref>
* [[December 22]]&ndash;[[December 23|23]] &ndash; [[Battle of Wadi al-Khaznadar]]: Mongol forces under Ghazan Khan defeat a Mamluk army (some 30,000 men) north of [[Homs]]. Sultan [[Al-Nasir Muhammad]] flees with the remnants of his army to [[Damascus]]. Ghazan splits his forces, one part sacks Damascus and besieges the [[Citadel of Damascus|citadel]]. Another part pursues the retreating Mamluks as far as [[Gaza City|Gaza]], pushing them back to [[Egypt in the Middle Ages|Egypt]].<ref>Demurger, Alain (2007). ''Jacques de Molay'' (in French), p. 142. Editions Payot & Rivages. {{ISBN|978-2-228-90235-9}}.</ref>