The siege of Hama was led by Imad al-Din Zengi who besieged and captured the city of Hama, then held by the Burids.^[1]

At the beginning of 1130 Zengi desired to gain political legitimacy in Syria, as a result he married the daughter of the former ruler of Aleppo.^[1] This move may have given him prestige over the Damascene Burids whom Zengi had sent several messages to inviting them to join him in a jihad against the Crusaders.^[1]

When Buri overcame his doubts about Zengi he sent his son Sawinj, lord of Hama, in command of 500 elite knights.^[1] The warm welcome and hospitality of Zengi banished any doubts and mistrust that Sawinj and his commanders may have had.^[1] Three days later Zengi had Sawinj and his commanders arrested and imprisoned in Aleppo.^[1][2] Zengi managed to loot the camp of Sawinj and confiscate all of his weapons, he then laid siege to Hama and captured it in October 1130.^[1]