Muhammad Shah, the Seljuq sultan of Iran, sent Bursuq b. Bursuq as his isbasalar to attack the Franks and dissident Muslims in Syria. [Albert of Aachen gives him as colleagues Cocosander of Lagabria (unidentified) and Ridwan of Aleppo (who had died previously)]. Bursuq and his many amirs arrived aggressively in Syria in August, crossed the Euphrates and stopped at Salinas for recuperation. Then he went on via Salamyah to Hama, which he besieged and stormed, expelling or killing the aristocrats and installing his own garrison. He finally camped at Shayzar (where Mawdud had camped), facing the enemy position at Apamea. At Shayzar he was not invited into the city, though given generous presents from the ruler Sultan, via his brother Murshid (Usama's father), who offered himself as a knowledgeable local guide. The army lived in caves on the Orontes bank, and pillaged widely in Christian lands