The effect of Batayih geography on Al-Buwayh's hostile relationships with Shahinians

Batayih is a swampy area between Basra and Wasit in the south of Iraq at the mouth of the Tigris River, where the local government of the Shahinians was formed by Imran ibn Shahin in 338 AH. The conflict between Batayih and Al-Buwayh who were settled in Iraq began with the declaration of independence of the Shahinians in Batayih. These conflicts started from the period of Mu'izz al-Dawlah and continued until the period of Az al-Dawlah. The present study, based on a descriptive-analytical method and relying on first-hand historical and geographical sources seeks to investigate the components of Batayih geography, which led to the hostile relationships between the Buyid dynasty and the Shahinians. The main issue of the research is what role did the geographical features of Batayih has had in the formation of the hostile relationship between Al-Buwayh and the Shahinians? The findings of the research indicate that the main factor in shaping these relationships was the geographical location and natural phenomena of Batayih. Natural phenomena such as swamps and reed-beds have made Batayih a natural refuge for insurgents against the Abbasid caliphate and the Buyid dynasty, and a criminal area. This situation disturbed the communication between the cities of the south of Iraq. In addition, Batayih was considered to be very fertile and rich economically, so dominating this region was very important for the Buyid dynasty.