Editing 1145 (section)

==== Levant ====
* Spring &ndash; Seljuk forces led by [[Imad al-Din Zengi]] capture [[Suruç|Saruj]], the second great Crusader fortress east of the [[Euphrates]]. They advance to [[Birecik|Birejik]] and besiege the city, but the garrison puts up a stiff resistance. Meanwhile, Queen-Regent [[Melisende, Queen of Jerusalem|Melisende of Jerusalem]] joins forces with [[Joscelin II, Count of Edessa|Joscelin II]], count of [[County of Edessa|Edessa]] and approaches the city. Zengi raises the siege after hearing rumours of trouble in [[Mosul]]. He rushes back with his army to take control. There, Zengi is praised throughout Islam as "defender of the faith" and ''al-Malik al-Mansur'', the "victorious king".<ref>[[Steven Runciman]] (1952). ''A History of The Crusades. Vol II: The Kingdom of Jerusalem'', p. 192. {{ISBN|978-0-241-29876-3}}.</ref>
* [[Raymond of Poitiers]], prince of [[principality of Antioch|Antioch]], travels to [[Constantinople]] to ask Emperor [[Manuel I Komnenos]] for help to support his campaign against the Seljuks. When he arrives, Raymond is forced to accept the suzerainty of the [[Byzantine Empire]]. Manuel treats him graciously, gives him gifts and promises him a money subsidy.<ref>Steven Runciman (1952). ''A History of The Crusades. Vol II: The Kingdom of Jerusalem'', p. 193. {{ISBN|978-0-241-29876-3}}.</ref>