Saladin was born in Tikrit (in present-day Iraq), being specifically of Kurdish origin. At just 14 years old, he began his very important and outstanding military career together with his uncle (Sirkuh) and his father (Ayyub), who, by the way, were members of the Ayyubid family, who were in the service of one of the main warlords of Syria, Nur al-Din.
Saladin participated in the expedition to Egypt that was commanded by Sirkuh (his uncle), assuming command in the year 1169 after his death. From that moment, and specifically after the occupation of Egypt (which ended the Fatimid period), his prestige rose to the heights.
Upon the death of the main Syrian leader, Nur-al-Din, Saladin began the reunification of the different and distinct Islamic states of the East, organizing a powerful army that, to some extent, was feared in the West.
The main core of this army was made up of both Kurdish and Turkish warriors, who were highly competent under Saladin.
At the precise moment when he had all the forces under control, he attacked the Crusader State in Palestine in the year 1187, thus reviving the almost forgotten Holy War, and annihilating King Guido de Lusignan after making him fall into a trap, luring him to the Horns of Hattin.
At this moment, the reaction of the Christians was even stronger and the so-called Third Crusade began.
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