Lying on the border between two powerful warring empires, the Ottomans and the Safavids, the Emirs were able to play the interests of one great power against another by simply switching sides, beginning with Izz al-din Shir II’s son, Zahid Beg. The following period was turbulent, with much inter-familial conflict in the ruling family. Different members sided with different empires and rebellions were launched by Shambo princes against their fathers.