Zengi had became involved in Artuqid affairs in 1134, allying with the emir Timurtash (son of Ilghazi) against Timurtash's cousin Da'ud.

Zengi's real desires, however, lie to the south, in Damascus.

In 1135.

Zengi receives an appeal for help from Ismail, who had succeeded his father Buri as emir of Damascus, and who is in fear for his life from his own citizenry, who consider him a cruel tyrant.

Ismail is willing to surrender the city to Zengi in order to restore peace.

None of Ismail's family or advisors want this, however, and Ismail is murdered by his own mother, Zumurrud, to prevent him from turning over the city to Zengi's control.

Ismail is succeeded by his brother Shahib ad-Din Mahmud.

Not discouraged by this turn of events, Zengi arrives at Damascus anyway, still intending to seize it.

The siege lasts for some time with no success on Zengi's part, so a truce is made and Shahib ad-Din's brother Bahram-Shah is given as a hostage.

At the same time, news of the siege had reached the caliph and Baghdad, and a messenger is sent with orders for Zengi to leave Damascus and take control of the governance of Iraq.

The messenger is ignored, but Zengi abandons the siege, as per the terms of the truce with Shahib ad-Din.