ERBIL ATABEYLIC

Zeyneddin Ali Küçük b. Beytegin was a Turkoman leader and the founder of atabeylik.He was also one of the commanders of Imadeddin Zengi , a Musul atabeyi. When Zengi conquered Erbil in 1131, he turned it over to Ali Küçük. Zeyneddin Ali , who was the ruler of Şehr-i Zor Tikrit and Sincar in addition to Erbil turned over these places to Musul Atabeyi Kudbeddin and retired to Erbil. When Kudbeddin died in 1168 , his son Muzafereddin Gökbürü replaced him. But he came into conflict with The Erbil Governor Mücahideddin Kaymaz. Kaymaz removed Gökbürü from atabeylik with force then appointed Zeyneddin Yusuf as atabey. But later ,Kaymaz was arrested in short time and Zeyneddin Yusuf subjected to Selahaddin Eyyubi. Gökbürü became atabey again in 1190 and wanted Erbil from Selahaddin Eyyubi. Selahaddin turned Şehr-i Zor , Karabeli and Kipçak derbendi over Gökbürü in addition to Erbil.Thus Gökbürü, subjected to Selahaddin until his death , applied to Eyyubiler for a autonomous administration where he ruled over after Selahaddin Eyyubi. But despite this he had cooperated with Eyyubiler against Zengiler . Gökbürü struggling with Bedreddin Lulu , stopped struggling with Lulu due to Mogol progress. Moneover ,he had applied to Claiph Nasir li-Dinillah for help , though Claiph didn’t provide him with enough help. Therefore he depended on Celaleddin Harezmşah who running away from Mongols to Bagdat . Mongols occupied Erbil after Harezmşah , though they had to leave the place after a short time.

The rule of Zengiler over Musul Atabeyliği ended following Atabey Nasıreddin Mahmut’s death. Before his death , Mahmud enjoined that Erbil would be turned over the claiph then he passed away in 1232. Bedrettin Lu’lu administed Musul independently since 1231.During Mongol invasion , Lu’lu made an agreement with Hulagu and depended on him in 1243.Because he wanted to protect Musul from destruction and prevent governtment from being turned over Mongolians.

But Lulu’s son didn’t follow the same polities and made an agreement with Baybors against Mongolians. Thereupon Musul was plyndered in 1261 and Malik Salih was killed by Mongolians.

Mahmud died in 1221-23 or 1233-34 the rule of Zengiler ended.