Before proceeding militarily against Nasr, Anushtakin secured an agreement with the Byzantine Empire, Nasr's ostensible protector;[1] the 1035 Byzantine-Fatimid truce forbade any Fatimid aggression against Mirdasid Aleppo, "for it was a town subject to [Byzantine] tribute".[36] Thus, Anushtakin requested permission from the Byzantine emperor, Michael IV, to "save Aleppo from Nasr", promising to continue the Mirdasids' annual tribute to the Byzantines.[36] After gaining the Byzantines' blessing, Anushtakin confirmed his alliance with the Bedouin tribes around Aleppo, namely the Kalb, Tayy and part of the Kilab.[36] In 1038, he mobilized his Fatimid and Bedouin troops, and advanced northward against the Mirdasid realm.[29] Nasr, meanwhile, was made aware of Anushtakin's mobilization and advanced southward with his army and allies from Kilab.[29] The two sides fought west of Salamiyah, and Anushtakin forced Nasr to retreat and regroup.[29] Anushtakin proceeded to sack Mirdasid-held Hama and continued northward.[29] The two sides met again on 22 May 1038 at Tell al-Fas, a hill just outside of Latimin, northwest of Hama.[29] In the middle of the fighting, Nasr's brother and rival, Mu'izz al-Dawla Thimal, abandoned Nasr's camp and headed for Aleppo to seize the city for himself.[37] This reduced Nasr's force and he was defeated and killed. Nasr's head was delivered to Anushtakin, while his body was hanged on the gates of Hama's citadel.[38]