The fortress was established in 1109 among the ruins of a Byzantine monastic laura[5] following the destruction of the castle al-Al. In 1109, a truce was declared between Baldwin I and Toghtekin, atabeg of Damascus, and the surrounding area, Terre de Suète, was supposed to be ruled as a condominium by Jerusalem and Damascus. Nevertheless, the castle was attacked by Toghtekin in 1111, killing its Frankish garrison, but was retaken by the Franks two years later.