Ayn al-Habis (Arabic: عين الحبيس),[1] also known by its medieval names Cave de Sueth (Old French, French: Cave de Suète),[2] Cava de Suet (Medieval Latin), or Habis Jaldak (Classical Arabic), is a 12th century cave castle built into the southern cliffs of the Yarmouk River gorge in modern-day Jordan.
[6] Hugh Kennedy accepts Ibn al-Qalanisi's description of the destruction by Toghtekin, atabeg of Damascus, of the Castle of al-Al in the western Golan Heights in 1105, whose remains are yet to be identified, and presents the Crusader presence at the Cave de Sueth as the "more circumspect" position adopted after the loss of that advanced outpost.
[7] In 1109, a truce was declared between Baldwin I and Toghtekin, and the surrounding area, Terre de Suète, was supposed to be ruled as a condominium by Jerusalem and Damascus.
[citation needed] Nevertheless, the castle was attacked by Toghtekin in 1111, killing its Frankish garrison, but was retaken by the Franks two years later.
[citation needed] Nur ad-Din besieged Cave de Sueth in 1158, but retreated with the approach of Baldwin III.