The Battle of Red Cliffs, fought in the winter of 208-209 AD, was a significant conflict during the late Eastern Han Dynasty in ancient China. It pitted the forces of the warlord Cao Cao against the allied armies of Sun Quan and Liu Bei. The battle took place along the Yangtze River and is notable for its strategic use of fire ships by the allied forces. The outcome of the battle was a decisive victory for Sun Quan and Liu Bei, which halted Cao Cao's expansion into southern China. This victory helped to establish the foundation for the Three Kingdoms period, leading to the eventual rise of the Wu and Shu kingdoms.