Ibn al-Sa'iji, who tried to play both sides off against each other, informed Asad of the Türgesh expedition only shortly before its arrival. Asad had time enough to send ahead his heavy baggage train, laden with the plunder and captives from Khuttal, back south under the command of Ibrahim ibn Asim al-Uqayli, accompanied by the contingent from the allied principality of al-Saghaniyan.[12][14][15] Asad with the main Muslim army remained behind, but at the arrival of the Türgesh host, Asad's troops broke into a headlong flight for the Oxus, which they managed to reach just ahead of the Türgesh.