The crusaders captured Tortosa and put it under the control of Raymond of Toulouse, who remained there to protect it. This posed a threat to Tughtakin of Damascus, who gathered a large army to recover it. Raymond had insufficient men to mount a conventional defence, so he hid his inferior forces in a corner of the castle and told the townspeople to say he had gone. Tughtakin accepted this explanation, camped outside the town and relaxed. Whereupon Raymond attacked his camp and massacred most of the Damascene troops