After Alp Arslan of Seljukids defeated the Byzantine army in the battle of Manzikert in 1071, a series of Turkmen beyliks (kingdoms) were formed in Anatolia before Anatolia was united by the Sultanate of Rum.

While a Georgian army waited in ambush, he invited Saltuk to Ani with the pretext of selling the fort to Saltukids.

[1] Towards the end of Saltuk's reign in 1161, George III of Georgia captured Ani.

But during the siege, Georgian army arrived to defend the fort and Saltuk remembering his oath, left the battle field.

However, two years later, Georgians were defeated by a coalition of Muslim leaders and Saltuk was able to expand his territory.