The Muslim conquest of North Africa continues the century of rapid Arab Muslim military expansion following the death of Muhammad in 632D.

By 642, the Arabs control Mesopotamia, Egypt and Syria, have invaded Armenia, and are concluding their conquest of the Persian Empire with their destruction of the Persian army at the Battle of Nihawānd (Nehawand).

It is at this point that Arab military expeditions into North African regions west of Egypt are first launched, continuing for years and furthering the spread of Islam.In 644 at Medina, Caliph Umar (Omar) is succeeded by Uthman ibn Affan (Othman), during whose twelve-year rule Armenia, Cyprus, and all of Iran, will be added to the growing Islamic empire; Afghanistan and North Africa will receive major invasions; and Muslim sea raids will range from Rhodes to the southern coasts of the Iberian Peninsula.

The Byzantine navy will be defeated in the eastern Mediterranean.