Yarmuk River: Islamic Period significance

The Yarmuk river flows east-to-west, forming the modern political border between Syria and Jordan. The Yarmuk empties into the Jordan River just south of the Sea of Galilee, where it also marks the border between Jordan and Israel. The Yarmuk River was the site of a famous military victory by the Arab Rashidun Caliphate over the Byzantine Empire (636 CE), after which the Islamic forces established their supremacy over Syria. The brilliant military strategist, Khalid ibn al-Walid, trapped the Byzantine army by outflanking them on the north, thus pinning them against the ravine to the west and the Yarmuk River to the south.