The Caliph Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik, in the hope of reversing the situation, had in early 730 appointed a new governor in Khurasan, the experienced Junayd ibn Abd al-Rahman al-Murri, who had been recently engaged in the pacification of Sindh.

The difficult security situation at the time is illustrated by the fact that Junayd needed an escort of seven thousand cavalry after crossing the Oxus, and that he was attacked by the Turgesh khagan while riding to link up with the army of his predecessor, Ashras al-Sulami, who was besieging Bukhara.

Junayd had been able to repel the attack and assume command of al-Sulami's forces.

Bukhara and most of Sogdiana are recovered soon after, as the Turgesh army withdraws north towards Samarkand.

The Muslim army follows, and scores a victory in a battle fought near the city.

Junayd then retires with his troops to winter in Merv.