Ottoman conquest of Zeila
| Conquest of Zeila | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Ottoman wars in Africa, Ottoman–Ethiopian War (1557–1589) | |||||||||
 A depiction of Zeila in the 18th century | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
 Ottoman Empire |
 Adal Sultanate | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
| Özdemir Pasha | Local rulers | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
| 3,000 soldiers | Unknown | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||||
The Ottoman conquest of Zeila occurred in 1557 when the Ottoman Empire, under the command of Özdemir Pasha, successfully captured the port city of Zeila as part of its expansion into the Horn of Africa. This marked the establishment of Ottoman Zeila along with the Habesh Eyalet[3][4][5][page needed]
Background
[edit]The Ottoman Empire sought to expand its influence in the Red Sea region during the mid-16th century, largely to counteract Portuguese dominance and solidify its control over key maritime trade routes. Özdemir Pasha, a Circassian Mamluk commander, led the Ottoman campaign to extend their reach into Nubia, Eritrea, and the coastal regions of the Horn of Africa.[6]
As part of this campaign, Özdemir Pasha seized several key locations, including Massawa and Suakin, before advancing towards Zeila. According to historian Richard Pankhurst, "Özdemir swiftly captured the entire stretch from Massawa to Zeila, establishing the Ottoman Province of Habeshistan in 1557."[7][8]
The Conquest
[edit]The campaign to capture Zeila was characterized by its swiftness, as Özdemir Pasha met little resistance. Upon seizing the city, he declared it part of the Habesh Eyalet, a newly created Ottoman province that encompassed key coastal territories. Historian Edward A. Alpers notes, "Özdemir directed his forces across the eastern desert, capturing Zeila to establish Ottoman dominance in the region."[9][10][page needed]
Aftermath
[edit]Following the conquest, Zeila became an important Ottoman port city under Özdemir Pasha's governorship. The strategic position of the city allowed the Ottomans to monitor and control trade routes along the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. This consolidation of power enabled the Ottomans to project influence deeper into the Horn of Africa and resist Portuguese incursions into the region.[11]
The establishment of Ottoman Zeila marked a turning point in the Horn of Africa's history, as the Ottomans used the city as a base to expand their influence in the interior regions and along the coast.[2][10][page needed]
Legacy
[edit]The Ottoman presence in Zeila significantly influenced the city's development as a regional trade hub, connecting the Arabian Peninsula, Africa, and the Indian Ocean. However, the city's fortunes declined in the later centuries with the waning of Ottoman influence in the region.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ International Scientific Committee for the drafting of a General History of Africa (1992-12-31). General History of Africa: Africa from the Sixteenth to the Eighteenth Century. UNESCO Publishing. p. 145. ISBN 978-92-3-101711-7.
- ^ a b c International Scientific Committee for the drafting of a General History of Africa 1992, p. 145.
- ^ Oliver, Roland; Atmore, Anthony (2001-08-16). Medieval Africa, 1250-1800. Cambridge University Press. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-521-79372-8.
- ^ Erlich, Haggai (2024-10-03). Rediscovering the Red Sea's Historical Significance. Springer Nature. p. 35. ISBN 978-981-97-7194-3.
- ^ Kendie, Daniel (1994). The Internal and External Dimensions of the Eritrean Conflict. Michigan State University. Department of History.
- ^ Oliver & Atmore 2001, p. 27.
- ^ Richard Pankhurst. An Introduction to the Economic History of Ethiopia. Page 27.
- ^ Kendie 1994, p. 263.
- ^ Edward A. Alpers. The Indian Ocean in World History. Page 145.
- ^ a b Kendie 1994.
- ^ Richard A. Lobban Jr. Historical Dictionary of Ancient and Medieval Nubia. Page 263.