The Almohads suffered a severe defeat against the Christian kingdoms of Iberia on 16 July 1212 in the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa.
The severe loss of life at the battle left the Almohad state weakened and some of its regions partially depopulated.
[9] Soon after this, in 1213 or 1214,[11] the Marinids took advantage of the situation and entered in force into the cultivated lands of north-eastern Morocco, under the leadership of Abd al-Haqq.
[10] They progressively occupied land as far as the Rif region, forcing settlements and towns to pay taxes to them.
[11][10][9] In 1217 an Almohad army, joined by the Banu Riyah, an Arab tribe, and a dissident Marinid clan, defeated Abd al-Haqq in battle.