or Qarqar
Ancient fortress on the Orontes River , western Syria.
A strategic outpost, it was attacked by the Assyrians in 853 BC. It was defended by Aramaean s, led by Ben-hadad I of Damascus, and their allies, including King Ahab of Israel. In 720 BC it was the scene of a battle in which Sargon II of Assyria captured and burned it.