Reconciliation & African intervention in Sicilian civil war put Byzantines on defensive

Summary:
On Sicily, the Saracen Apochaps and his brother Apolaphar Mouchoumet strove for mastery. The former made an alliance with the African Oumer and the latter with the Roman Leon Opos, whose Longobard troops defeated Oumer. When Maniakes approached Sicily, the two brothers put their differences aside to oppose him. Upon this, Leon retreated, leaving Oumer free to ravage the island. Maniakes later defeated the brothers' armies 
Dates:
1037 
Abu Hafs, brother of amir of Sicily (Apochaps 101)
  • His brother Apolaphar Mouchoumet 101 having gained the upper hand in their struggle, he sought an alliance with the ruler of Africa Oumer 101, who accepted on condition that he be granted possessions on Sicily, to which demand Apochaps acquiesced (:) Skylitzes 400.50-54
  • Made a truce with his brother Apolaphar Mouchoumet 101 before Georgios 62 arrived, and on his arrival they both did their utmost to drive him from the island and sent for allies from Africa (:) Zonaras 17.15.4
Ahmad al-Akhal, amir of Sicily (Apolaphar Mouchoumet 101)
  • Made a truce with his brother Apochaps 101 before Georgios 62 arrived, and on his arrival they both did their utmost to drive him from the island and sent for allies from Africa (:) Zonaras 17.15.4
  • Joined forces with his brother (Apochaps 101) and strove to expel Georgios 62 Maniakes from Sicily, secured an alliance, and was sent 50,000 troops from Africa which Maniakes annihilated at Remata before capturing the entire island (:) σπεισάμενοι πρὸς ἀκλλήλους ἔσπευδον ἀπελάσαι τοῦτον τῆς νήσου Skylitzes 403.22-27
Georgios Maniakes (Georgios 62)
  • When he arrived in Sicily the brothers ruling the island (Apochaps 101, Apolaphar Mouchoumet 101) joined forces to expel him and he engaged in a mighty battle at Remata with the 50,000 troops sent from Africa, which he annihilated (:) τρέπεται κατὰ κράτος τοὺς Καρχηδονίους Skylitzes 403.22-28
  • Was sent to Sicily to bring aid to the brother from Anonymi 6014 who had fled to the Romans (:) Zonaras 17.15.2
Konstantinos (Leon) Opos (Konstantinos 267)
  • Learnt that the two brothers in Sicily (Apolaphar Mouchoumet 101, Apochaps 101) made peace and were planning to attack the Romans, and returned to Italy together with 15,000 rescued Roman captives (:) Skylitzes 401.60-64
Umar (?), ruler of Africa (Oumer 101)
  • Promised to help Apochaps 101 against the latter's brother (Apolaphar Mouchoumet 101) on condition that he be granted properties on Sicily, and when his request was accepted he attacked Apolaphar and defeated him and the allied forces of Georgios 62 (:) εἰ κατάσχεσιν ἐν τῇ νήσῳ λάβῃ τινά Skylitzes 400.50-401.56
  • Was vanquished by Konstantinos 267 Opos who crossed over from Longobardia at the request of Apolaphar Mouchoumet 101, but when Leon retreated following Apolaphar's reconciliation with his brother Apochaps 101, he was left free to ravage Sicily (:) καὶ κατὰ πολλὴν ἄδειαν αὐτὴν ἐκεράϊζε Skylitzes 401.59-65