Araban


Araban is a municipality and district of Gaziantep Province, Turkey. Its area is 592 km2, and its population is 32,933. The district was established in 1957.

History

The city was historically known as Raban. In October/November 958, the Byzantine Empire led by John Tzimiskes and Basil Lekapenos managed to defeat Sayf al-Dawla of the Hamdanids at the Battle of Raban.
Raban was ruled by the Armenian ruler Kogh Vasil, following the First Crusade in 1097. It was captured by Mesud I in April 1150, before it was burned by the Mongols in the 13th century. In 1268, King Hethum I had to surrendered several fortresses including Raban to Baibars, who had imprisoned Hethum's son, Leo, following the Battle of Mari.

Composition

There are 49 neighbourhoods in Araban District: