Al-Ahzab the confederates, or "the clans", "the coalition", or "the combined forces") The Battle of the Trench also known as the Battle of Khandaq and the Battle of the Confederates was a 27-day-long defence by Muslims of Yathrib (now Medina). The Battle of the Trench was fought on Shawwal – Dhu al-Qi'dah, AH 5