[1] This brought him into conflict with the Uqaylid ruler of the neighbouring city of Aleppo, Muslim ibn Quraysh, and the latter was defeated and slain in a battle in June 1085.
Tutush, the Seljuk ruler of Syria, felt threatened by Suleiman's action who was additionally a cousin and thus a possible threat to the throne.
[2] The two armies met at Ayn Saylam and Süleiman's all-out attack was routed by Turkmens under Artuk Beg.
[a][5][6][7] It was only in late 1092 after Malik Shah's death that Kilic Arslan could escape and attempt to reclaim his father's dominion which had started to fracture into various principalities under independent warlords such as Tzachas, Elchanes and Poulchanes.
While it has been suggested that he fled the approach of his brother Malik Shah in fear of retribution for killing their relative, it is more likely that he went to relieve his capital Damascus which had come under siege by the Fatimids.