[1][2] He led the first Fatimid attempt to conquer Syria in 970–971, capturing Ramla and Damascus, but his attack on Byzantine-held Antioch was repulsed, and he lost his life in June 971 fighting against the invading Qarmatians.
[3] Ja'far ibn Fallah was instrumental in this success: he not only led the Fatimid troops that crossed the river, but also, according to al-Maqrizi, captured the boats used to do this from a fleet sent by Ikhshidid loyalists from Lower Egypt.
In stark contrast to the leniency Jawhar had shown to Fustat, Ibn Fallah imposed humiliating terms on Damascus, demanding that the women come out and let their hair down in the dust.
During the takeover of the city, the Kutama pillaged the markets and clashed with the populace for three days, after which Ibn Fallah executed several prominent citizens.
[9][10] Almost as soon as Damascus submitted, Ibn Fallah entrusted one of his ghulams, named Futuh ("Victories"), to carry out the promised jihad against the Byzantines.
[11] Futuh assembled a large army of Kutama, strengthened with levies from Palestine and southern Syria, and moved to besiege Antioch in December 970.