By 255/869, the Turkish soldiers in Samarra had regained some of the strength lost during the initial purges by al-Mu`tazz with the rise of Salih b. Wasif and Baykbak. Salih was involved in the removal of the vizier Ahmad b. Isra`il. Demands by the Turkish soldiers for more pay eventually led to al-Mu`tazz's deposition at the end of Rajab 255/mid-July 869 at the hands of a combination of Turks, Farghanans and Maghariba. He died on 2 Sha`ban 255/16 July 869 at the age of 24 three days after he had been deposed of ill treatment. al-Wathik's son Muhammad al-Muhtadi was raised to the throne by the Turks.