the term: Your enemys enemy is your friend, very much aplies to medivel seljuks whos nr. 1 enemy often were family members fighting for power, thus making crusaders an ally. Thats why the crusaders were succesfull in the beginning
And yes I know that most mamaluks were middeleastern, and the european especialy scandinavian with the "red hair and beard" were rare and had a high price on the market!