In the same year: King Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn laid siege to al-Karak and al-Shawbak, tightening the noose around their inhabitants (1) and devastating many localities within their district (2); yet he did not capture the two forts that year.

In that year as well, the Franks assembled in Syria with the intention of attacking the city of Zaraʿ (3). They reached Shamskīn (4), whereupon Nūr al-Dīn marched out against them. They fled before him to the Ghawr, then to al-Sawād (5), and finally to al-Shallala (6). He thereupon dispatched a detachment to Tiberias; they laid waste to the area, taking captives, killing, and seizing booty, and they returned [and Allah kept them safe] (7). The Franks (8) went back in utter disappointment—may Allah curse them all. Al-ʿImād the secretary composed a resounding ode (9) in praise of this expedition.

[Conquest of Nubia]

During the same year, King Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn sent his brother Shams al-Dawla Tūrān Shāh (10) to the land of Nubia. He conquered it and took possession of its main stronghold, a fortress called Ibrīm (11). When he realized that the land yielded little benefit, and that its revenue (12) did not meet its expenses, he left in charge of the aforementioned fortress a Kurdish man named Ibrāhīm, appointing him as the established commander of the fortress of Ibrīm. A group of unemployed Kurds joined him; their wealth increased, their circumstances improved, they launched raids, and they obtained spoils and delights. Praise be to Allah who (13), through His grace, brings righteous deeds to completion.