 In 1076, Ali began construction of the Hisn al-Jisr fortress, which would limit Shayzar's access to the Orontes River.Hisn al-Jisr was used to hamper the flow of supplies into Shayzar from the Byzantine mainland.At the time, it was also utilized by Ali for diplomatic efforts amid the struggle for Syria between the ascendant Seljuks and their opponents.