Sicily - Were they made for headaches?

[salty mud]

I need to get this off my chest. I recently started a campaign as Spain. Things were going well, capturing Valencia and Zaragoza and repelling a Moorish attack on Leon. Then, Sicily appear. You may think this is good as the AI can launch naval invasions, etc etc. However, when Sicily appear on a French, Spanish, Milanese, Venitian and Holy Roman campaign you know something is up. And this only happens with the human players. For example, when I was France they attacked Marseilles. Fair enough I thought. As Spain they attack Valenica, but not Marseilles. As Milan they attack Genoa, not Marseilles or Valencia. This happens every single time when I play as said factions. Although it provides a challenge, I do not like it.

Anyone else seen this?

 

[Aramazd]

How many troops are there? If there are a lot of troops the AI will stay away, however, if you leave your cities/castles lightly defended they will attack there.

 

[salty mud]

Even with defended towns/cities, they will still attack with near-enough a full stack. Craziness.