The Zirid Dynasty was a family of Sanhaja Berbers with origins from the Kabyle mountains. During their reign they established their rule over the entire Maghreb and also established rule in parts of Andalusia. They also had suzerainty over the island of Sicily through the Kalbite Emirs and later assassinated the ruler and took over the Island. When the Emirate of Sicily was split into separate taifas, Ayyub Ibn Tamim entered Sicily and united all of the taifas under his rule until he left the Island.