As the Crusaders emerged from the gates of Antioch, divided into six regiments, Kerbogha's Arab commander, Watthab ibn Mahmud, urged him to immediately strike their advancing line.[1] However, Kerbogha was concerned a preemptive strike might only destroy the Crusader's front line and may also significantly weaken his own forces disproportionately. However, as the Franks continued to advance against the Turks, Kerbogha began to grasp the severity of the situation (he previously underestimated the size of the Crusading army), and attempted to establish an embassy between him and the Crusaders in order to broker a truce.[2] However, it was too late for him, and the leaders of the Crusade ignored his emissary.