The term "Islamic invasions" refers to a series of military campaigns initiated by Muslim armies from the 7th century onwards. These invasions aimed to spread Islam and expand the territories under Muslim control. Key regions affected included parts of North Africa, the Middle East, and the Iberian Peninsula. These invasions were often characterized by rapid conquests and the establishment of caliphates, which were Islamic states governed by religious leaders. The most notable invasions include the Umayyad conquests, which expanded the Islamic empire significantly, and the Ottoman Empire, which later played a crucial role in European history.