Some Assyrian correspondence related to the Arabs at the time of Sargon II, the end of the eighth century BC. Remember the presence of an Arab in the heart of the Euphrates Peninsula near the city of Kalh (Nimrud), and also in the Soho area near Khinzano (the city of Al-Qaim) in the middle of the Euphrates.
- It talks about the Assyrian governors organizing the pastoral areas of the Arabs and their fear that the Arabs would resort to raiding the cities in the event of a dry season. Indeed, their fear was justified, as after the drought, these tribes raided and plundered the Euphrates cities in the south, all the way to Sippar (north of Babylon).
It also mentions the widespread presence of Arabs in the central and western Levant (specifically in the areas of Hama, Homs, and Damascus) and their movement freely between them and the steppe regions [in the south].
Bel Liqbi, the Assyrian ruler of Sobia (Homs), talks about the settlement of Arabs around a river called Adina (one of the branches of the Orontes River). Later, it is reported that he sought to expel Arab farmers from the area, but their leader, Ammi Al-Lat bin Umair, protested
(My uncle Al-Lat is a tribal sheikh. It is clear that he started out as an ally of the Assyrians, and it appears that he owned lands in Homs Governorate).
The Assyrian ruler responded to Ammi Al-Lat’s protest that the Arabs were attacking his subjects, and proposed to Ammi Al-Lat that they be given lands in another area north of Homs called Yasubuk.
- Adahti, the Assyrian ruler of Hama, talks about Ammi Al-Lat, who apparently abandoned his alliance with the Assyrians and prepared 300 camels to raid a spoils caravan heading from Damascus to Assyria. Adahati, accompanied by Bil Laqbi, tried to confront him, but my uncle Al-Lat ambushed them and seized 3,000 heads of sheep, then withdrew towards the Sheikh Mountains.
