Almohad offensive in Iberia (1172)

Timeline

1. 1172Seville · Al-AndalusBased at Seville, Abu Ya'qub Yusuf first took Balch and Alcaraz, strongholds held by Ibn Mardanish's former men, clearing out remnants in southeastern Andalusia before leading his army north along the Tagus to raid Castilian frontier posts.
2. 1172Huete · CastileAlmohad forces besieged the fortress of Huete but met stubborn resistance. Lengthened supply lines, internal command disputes, heavy rain relieving the defenders' water shortage, and a papal promise of indulgence to the garrison all took their toll; hearing that Castile's Alfonso VIII was approaching with reinforcements, the caliph ordered a withdrawal.
3. 1172Toward Cuenca · CastileAlmohad forces retreated toward Cuenca, still using the city as a forward base for attacking Castile. The two sides then reached a seven-year truce, pausing hostilities, though Almohad military pressure on Iberia had already laid the groundwork for a long war to come.