Editing 1144 (section)

==== Levant ====
* Autumn &ndash; [[Imad al-Din Zengi]], Seljuk governor (''[[atabeg]]'') of [[Mosul]], attacks the [[Artuqids|Artuqid]] forces led by [[Kara Arslan]] – who has made an alliance with [[Joscelin II, Count of Edessa|Joscelin II]], count of [[County of Edessa|Edessa]]. In support of the alliance Joscelin marches out of Edessa with a Crusader army down to the [[Euphrates|Euphrates River]], to cut off Zengi's communications with [[Aleppo]]. Zengi is informed by Muslim observers at [[Harran]] of Joscelin's movements. He sends a detachment to ambush the Crusaders and reaches Edessa with his main army in late November.<ref>[[Steven Runciman]] (1952). ''A History of The Crusades. Vol II: The Kingdom of Jerusalem'', p. 190. {{ISBN|978-0-241-29876-3}}.</ref>
* [[December 24]] &ndash; [[Siege of Edessa (1144)|Siege of Edessa]]: Seljuk forces led by Imad al-Din Zengi conquer the fortress city of Edessa after a four-week siege. Thousands of inhabitants are massacred – only the Muslims are spared. The women and children are sold into slavery.<ref>Steven Runciman (1952). ''A History of The Crusades. Vol II: The Kingdom of Jerusalem'', pp. 190–191. {{ISBN|978-0-241-29876-3}}.</ref> Lacking the forces to take on Zengi, Joscelin II retires to his fortress at [[Turbessel]]. There, he request reinforcements from the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantines]] and Queen-Regent [[Melisende, Queen of Jerusalem|Melisende of Jerusalem]].