Battle of Karbala: Quick Facts

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Last updated

Oct. 3, 2026

Facts

Date	October 10, 680
Location	Euphrates River • Iraq • Karbala
Participants	Umayyad dynasty • Yazīdī
Context	civil war

Photos

Battle of Karbala, oil on canvas by Abbas Al-Musavi, shows Imam al-Husayn on horseback in a dramatic, crowded scene commemorating his martyrdom, with expressive figures and vivid colors.

Shi'i Muslim men wearing red headbands and black clothing sit and weep during an Ashura mourning procession in Beirut, Lebanon.

Muslim Shiʿi children dressed as angels with colorful wings perform in an Ashura passion play outdoors near Kashan, Iran, with spectators and red flags in the background.

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Key People

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al-Ḥusayn ibn ʿAlī

Muslim leader and martyr

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Yazīd I

Umayyad caliph

Louis IX of France (St. Louis), stained glass window of Louis IX during the Crusades. (Unknown location.)

World Wars

Louis IX of France (St. Louis), stained glass window of Louis IX during the Crusades. (Unknown location.)

World Wars

D-Day. American soldiers fire rifles, throw grenades and wade ashore on Omaha Beach next to a German bunker during D Day landing. 1 of 5 Allied beachheads est. in Normandy, France. The Normandy Invasion of World War II launched June 6, 1944.

A History of War

D-Day. American soldiers fire rifles, throw grenades and wade ashore on Omaha Beach next to a German bunker during D Day landing. 1 of 5 Allied beachheads est. in Normandy, France. The Normandy Invasion of World War II launched June 6, 1944.

A History of War

Civil War era cannon overlooks Kennesaw Mountain National Battle. (military, artillery, American history)

Pick Your Battles Quiz

Civil War era cannon overlooks Kennesaw Mountain National Battle. (military, artillery, American history)

Pick Your Battles Quiz