After quelling internal rebellions, King Shamshi-Adad V undertook a series of campaigns against Babylonia.[2] After capturing and spoiling several cities, he marched upon the royal city of Dur-Papsukkal.[1] According to Shamshi-Adad V's own inscriptions, he took the city after his troops slayed 13.000 soldiers.[1] Afterwards, he looted its treasures and captured the palace women before razing and burning it.[1][3]
Babylonian King Marduk-balassu-iqbi did not arrive in time to save the city[2] and, with his allied forces of Chaldeans, Elamites, Kassites and Arameans, faced the Assyrians near the city.[1] Shamshi-Adad V claimed victory.[1][3] This battle marked the limit of their advance on Babylonian lands for the year. He did not subdue Marduk-balassu-iqbi until the following year.[2]