During the First Muslim Civil War between Mu'awiya and Caliph Ali (), Sufyan led a raid against Ali's positions in Iraq in 659/660 or the summer of 660. Sufyan first reached Hit and Sandawda, both on the west bank of the Euphrates, and upon finding them deserted by their garrisons and inhabitants, who fled at the news of Sufyan's impending assault, he proceeded toward Anbar, on the east bank of the river. During the attack, the commander of the Anbar garrison, Ashras ibn Hassan al-Bakri, and thirty of his soldiers were slain. After looting the town, Sufyan withdrew to Syria without proceeding to al-Mada'in as instructed by Mu'awiya, who nonetheless praised him for the expedition's efficiency and success. He promised to install Sufyan to any office he wished. The attacks contributed to the flight of many Iraqis to Syria during the war.