Silla's Victory Over Tang Invasion

In 671 CE, the Silla Kingdom advanced its campaign against Tang Dynasty forces, successfully pushing them out of much of the former Baekje territory. This development occurred during the Silla–Tang War (670–676), a conflict that began after the Tang court attempted to assert direct control over the Korean Peninsula despite earlier cooperation with Silla in defeating Baekje and Goguryeo. During 671, Silla launched coordinated military operations in the southwest, targeting Tang administrative centers and military positions established in former Baekje lands. By the end of the year, Silla forces had removed a significant portion of Tang officials and garrisons from the region. This shift allowed Silla to regain control over territories that had previously been contested following the fall of Baekje in 660. Following these military gains, Silla established a regional administrative structure known as So-Buryeo, or “Lesser Buyeo,” in the reclaimed areas. This system indicated Silla’s intention to integrate the former Baekje territories into its own state structure rather than allowing them to remain under external control. The move also helped stabilize governance in areas that had experienced years of conflict. At the same time, Silla maintained pressure on Tang forces by supporting resistance groups in former Goguryeo territories to the north. These allied forces engaged Tang positions, creating additional challenges for Tang military operations and dividing their attention across multiple fronts. The events of 671 contributed to the broader outcome of the Silla–Tang War, which concluded in 676 with the withdrawal of Tang forces from most of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of Silla’s dominance over the southern and central regions.