The Return of Sabr ad-Din III: Restoring Leadership in Adal After Exile

In 1415, Sabr ad-Din III, the eldest son of Sa'ad ad-Din II, returned to Adal from his exile in Arabia to restore his father's throne. He proclaimed himself 'king of Adal' after his return from Yemen to the Harar plateau and established his new capital at Dakkar. Sabr ad-Din III and his brothers defeated an army of 20,000 men led by an unnamed commander hoping to restore the 'lost Amhara rule'. The victorious king then returned to his capital, but gave the order to his many followers to continue the war against the Christians in the region. This marked a significant turning point in the ongoing conflicts between the Adal Sultanate and the Ethiopian Empire. The return of Sabr ad-Din III not only revitalized the Adal Sultanate but also instigated a series of military campaigns aimed at expanding their influence and territory. The Adal forces, under the leadership of Sabr ad-Din III and his brothers, demonstrated remarkable military prowess, successfully overcoming the formidable Ethiopian army. The conflict escalated, leading to the eventual death of Emperor Tewodros I of Ethiopia, which further destabilized the region and shifted the balance of power in favor of the Adal Sultanate. Sabr ad-Din III's reign was characterized by his efforts to consolidate power and strengthen the Sultanate's position against external threats. His establishment of Dakkar as the new capital symbolized a new era for the Adal Sultanate, as it became a center for political and military strategy in the Horn of Africa. The events of 1415 were pivotal in shaping the historical landscape of the region, as the Adal Sultanate sought to reclaim its dominance and assert its influence over neighboring territories. #mooflife #mof #MomentOfLife #SabrAd-dinIii #AdalSultanate #EthiopianEmpire #HornOfAfrica #1415