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How did the Battle of Yarmouk in 636 affect control of the region?

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Arid, rugged hills and winding roads in the Jordan Rift Valley, with the Jordan River and a small reservoir visible in the distance. — Jordan River Portion of the Jordan Valley, a rift valley that runs north-south along the Jordan River.

The Battle of Yarmouk in 636 CE was a decisive turning point that ended Byzantine Empire rule in Syria and marked the beginning of Muslim dominance in historical Palestine.12

Following the victory of Muslim Arab forces under Khalid ibn al-Walid, the power of the nascent Caliphate was significantly elevated throughout the region. The defeat forced the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius to retreat and focus his efforts on defending Anatolia and Egypt, while Jerusalem surrendered to the Muslims the following year.1

This shift in control established a period of Muslim governance that lasted until World War I, with the only major interruption occurring during the era of the Crusades (1099–1291).2