The Ethiopian Emperor Gelawdewos was killed, leaving the empire weakened and unable to recover lost territory from the Adal Sultanate.
Key Facts
- Date
- 2 April 1559
- Ethiopian Emperor killed
- Emperor Gelawdewos
- Adal commander
- Nur ibn Mujahid
- Outcome
- Decisive Adal Sultanate victory
- Context
- Reprisal conflict following Ethiopian–Adal War
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Battle of Fatagar arose as a reprisal conflict between the Adal Sultanate and the Ethiopian Empire, both of whom had previously fought in the Ethiopian–Adal War. Residual hostilities and territorial disputes drove Nur ibn Mujahid to lead Adal forces against Emperor Gelawdewos and the Ethiopian army.
On 2 April 1559, Adal Sultanate forces under Nur ibn Mujahid engaged the Ethiopian Empire's army commanded by Emperor Gelawdewos at Fatagar, also known as Nech Sar. During the battle, Gelawdewos was killed by Adal forces, resulting in a decisive defeat for the Ethiopian Empire.
The death of Gelawdewos produced widespread grief and political instability throughout the Christian Ethiopian lands. According to scholar Mohammed Hassen, the Ethiopian forces never regained their full strength after this defeat and failed to recapture any territory lost to the Adal Sultanate or the advancing pastoral Oromo prior to 1559.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Emperor Gelawdewos.
Side B
1 belligerent
Nur ibn Mujahid.