Shimbra Kure, Battle of

The Battle of Shimbra Kure ("chickpea swamp") is fought in March of 1529 between the forces of Adal led by Imam Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi, and the Ethiopian army, under Dawit II (Lebna Dengel).

The army of Imam Ahmad prevails, and are in control of the field at the end of the battle.

Both sides suffer heavy casualties.

[ Despite this success, and his desire to capture and hold the Emperor's palace at Badeqe, Imam Ahmad, in part to appease his restive men, withdraws from the highlands and does not return to directly engage the Ethiopian army for two years.

Some authorities, such as Richard Pankhurst, attribute Imam Ahmad's success to the presence amongst his followers of an elite company of matchlockmen.

If this is the case, then this battle is the first time Ethiopian forces have to fight against a force armed with firearms.

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