In Alexandria he left behind Fath ibn Ta'laba, with orders to construct numerous catapults (manjanīq and ʿarrāda) to protect the city harbour from a naval attack by Thamal's fleet.[14] Mu'nis did not oppose this move, since his forces were inadequate to confront the Fatimids in open battle, and he was facing difficulties in providing the salary of his troops.[14] Furthermore, when the commander he had sent to Upper Egypt died in spring 921, the Kutama were easily able to take over the entire region, up to the Coptic bishopric of al-Ushmuniyya.[14] Not only did this increase the area under taxation for al-Qa'im, but it also ended the grain supply of Fustat from there.[14]