Editing 634 (section)

==== Arabia ====
* [[Battle of Firaz]]: The Rashidun Arabs (15,000 men) under [[Khalid ibn al-Walid]] defeat the combined forces of the [[Byzantine Empire]], [[Sasanian Empire|Persian Empire]] and [[Arab Christians]] (at least 10 times larger than Khalid's army) in [[Mesopotamia]] ([[Iraq]]).{{sfn|Akram|1969}}{{full citation needed|date=July 2021|reason=loc param with link to archived web site missing}}
* [[February 4]] &ndash; [[Battle of Dathin]]: Rashidun forces under [[Yazid ibn Abi Sufyan]] defeat the Christian Arabs around [[Gaza City|Gaza]]. The Muslim victory is celebrated by the local Jews, who have been a persecuted minority within the Byzantine Empire.<ref>Walter E. Kaegi, ''Byzantium and the Early Islamic Conquests''. Cambridge University Press (1992)</ref> 
* The [[Rashidun Caliphate]] starts the Islamic conquest of the Byzantine Empire, when Muslim forces under [[Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah]] [[Muslim conquest of the Levant|invade the Levant]]. Khalid sets out for Syria from [[Al-Hirah]], taking with him half his army, about 8,000 strong.{{sfn|Akram|1970|p=576}}
* [[Battle of al-Qaryatayn]]: The Muslim Arabs under Khalid defeat the [[Ghassanids]] at [[Al-Qaryatayn]], after the inhabitants resist his proposals. His army conquers and [[Looting|plunders]] the city, before proceeding to capture other towns in the area.<ref>Blankinship, 1993, p. 110</ref>
* [[Battle of Marj Rahit (634)|Battle of Marj Rahit]]: A Muslim Arab army under Khalid defeats the Byzantine forces (15,000 men) and their Ghassanid allies. After the battle he sends a mounted column to the outskirts of [[Damascus]], to plunder the region.{{sfn|Akram|1970}}{{page needed|date=July 2021}}
* [[Battle of Bosra]]: Muslim forces under Khalid [[Siege|besiege]] the Byzantine and Christian Arab garrison (12,000 men) at [[Bosra]]. After a few days the fortress city surrenders; Khalid imposes a payment of [[tribute]] on the inhabitants.
* [[August 23]] &ndash; [[Abu Bakr]] dies at [[Medina]] and is succeeded by [[Umar|Umar I]], who becomes the second [[caliph]] (''khalifah'') of the Rashidun Caliphate. During his rule, Umar conquers Syria, [[Iran|Persia]], and [[Diocese of Egypt|Egypt]] in a [[Spread of Islam|"Holy War"]].
* [[September 19]] &ndash; [[Siege of Damascus (634)|Siege of Damascus]]: Muslim Arabs under Khalid conquer Damascus as the first major city of the Byzantine Empire. Damascan refugees are given a guarantee of safety to retreat to Antioch.
* [[Battle of Maraj-al-Debaj]]: A Byzantine convoy of Damascan refugees (10,000 men) is slaughtered by a Muslim army near Antioch. The [[Mobile guard|Mobile Guard]] (elite [[light cavalry]]) captures a great amount of [[brocade]].