Annals from Aramean kings refer to the region as Bit-Zamani in the 13th century BC as an Aramean state with the cities of Amida (Diyarbakir) and Naşibīna as its capitals. The Tūr `Abdīn region was also the arena of a number of fights between the Assyrian army and the Arameans who seem to have gained considerable control not only in this area, but also on the Upper Tigris and the Middle Euphrates. In the 9th century BCE the Assyrian King Ashurnasirpal II described crossing the plateau of Tur Abdin (which he calls "Kashyari") on his way to attack the region of Nairi.