 He renewed their focus on the Muslim conquests in Transoxiana, which would serve as a means for the Azdi troops he brought from Iraq, and the longer-established Khurasani troops, to acquire war spoils.Al-Muhallab began his term in 698 by preparing an army in the provincial capital of Merv, composed of his men from the campaigns against the Azariqa, Khurasani troops and local forces commanded by the "mawali" brothers Thabit and Hurayth ibn Qutba.In 699, after leaving his son al-Mughira in charge of Merv, he led this army on an expedition to conquer Transoxiana.