After taking many small and large cities, both Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah and Khalid ibn al-Walid met at Qinnasarin, and they marched to Aleppo, where a strong garrison under a Roman general named Joachim held the fort.

[2] Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah sent a column under Malik al-Ashtar to take Azaz on the route to 'Rome'.

The region which the Muslims called Rome included the area which is now Southern Turkey east of the Taurus Mountains.

Malik, assisted by Joachim, captured Azaz and signed a pact with the local inhabitants, whereafter he returned to Aleppo.

The capture and clearance of Azaz was essential to ensure that no large Roman forces remained north of Aleppo, whence they could strike at the flank and rear of the Muslims as the next major operation was launched.