Milestone·Rashidun
First Muslim Expedition to Cyprus
- Date
- 649 CE28 AH1,377 years ago
- Place
- Cyprus
- People
- Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan
In 28 AH (649 CE), Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan, governor of Syria, sent a fleet to Cyprus. The island was a Byzantine base near the Syrian coast. Muslim forces raided the island and took large numbers of prisoners and goods. Later agreements required the island to pay tribute. It was one of the first large naval operations in Muslim history.
Why it matters
The expedition began Muslim naval operations in the Mediterranean, which later reached other islands and coasts.