 Shamdin 's forces , amounting to 600 – 700 Kurdish irregulars , massed in Tiberias . They were commanded by Shamdin 's sons Muhammad Sa 'id and Hasan Agha . Curious at this deployment , Aqil had requested an explanation from the kaimakam of Acre , but received no response . Thus Aqil concluded that the deployment was part of a conspiracy to upend his rule . In response , Aqil assembled his entire force of irregulars , amounting to some 300 – 400 men , and marched towards Shamdin 's troops . Other Arab tribes volunteered their service , but Aqil declined their participation . 
