Defeat of Ifat's troops and death of Sa'ad ad-Din II

In 1403, the Ethiopian Emperor, likely Dawit I, mobilized a significant military force to counter the aggressive raids led by Sultan Sa'ad ad-Din II of Ifat. The Emperor, perceiving the Muslims in the region as 'enemies of the Lord', initiated an invasion of Ifat. The conflict culminated in a decisive battle on the Harar plateau, where the Ethiopian forces successfully defeated Ifat's troops. Following this defeat, Sultan Sa'ad ad-Din fled to Zeila, a coastal city, in hopes of finding refuge. However, the relentless Ethiopian soldiers pursued him to the peninsula of Zeila. According to the historian Al-Maqrizi, the Amhara forces besieged Sa'ad ad-Din, cutting off his access to water and supplies. This strategic maneuver ultimately led to a confrontation that resulted in the Sultan's death, marking a significant turning point in the power dynamics of the region. The defeat of Ifat and the demise of Sa'ad ad-Din II not only solidified the Ethiopian Empire's dominance but also underscored the ongoing conflicts between Christian and Muslim states in the Horn of Africa during this period. #mooflife #mof #MomentOfLife #EthiopianHistory #Sa'adAd-dinIi #Ifat #DawitI #HornOfAfrica