Almoravid forces had overrun the Kingdom of Valencia after the death of its leader, El Cid, and by 1100 had managed to cross the Ebro into Barbastro, which brought Aragon into direct contact with them.

The Banu Hud, an Arab dynasty that has ruled the taifa, or statelet, of Zaragoza from 1039, has stubbornly resisted the Almoravids, leading the smaller Muslim taifas in their resistance until their defeat in May 1110.

Banu Hud sultan Abd-al-Malik Imad ad-Dawla, forced to abandon his capital, allies himself with the Christian Aragonese under Alfonso the Battler and from this time, the Muslims of Zaragoza will become military regulars within the Aragonese forces.

The Almoravid governor of Zaragoza, Muhàmmad ibn al-Hajj, launches an offensive against the County of Barcelona but is defeated at the Battle of Martorell by Ramon Berenguer III.

Alfonso had spent his first four years in near-constant war with the Muslims.

He had in 1105 conquered Ejea and …

…Tauste and …

…refortified Castellar and …

…Juslibol, the fortress Peter I had built in 1101 to besiege Zaragoza.

Alfonso, after defeating Ahmad II al-Musta'in of Zaragoza at Valtierra in 1106, had taken ...

...Tamarite de Litera and Esteban de la Litera in 1107.

Then followed a period dominated by his relations with Castile and León through his wife, Urraca.

Alfonso resumes his conquest in 1117 by conquering …

…Fitero, …

…Corella, …