Battle of Shimbra Kure

Part of the Abyssinian–Adal war

Date	March, 1529
Location	Shimbra Kure, Ethiopia, 130 km (80 mi) southeast of Addis Ababa
Result	Decisive Adal victory

Belligerents

Adal Sultanate

Ethiopian Empire

Commanders and leaders

Imam Ahmad Gragn

Dawit II

Strength

200 men with matchlocks, several thousand infantry, cavalry

200 man of infantry and cavalry

The Battle of Shimbra Kure ("chickpea swamp") was fought in March 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 prevailed, and were in control of the field at the end of the battle. Both sides suffered 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, withdrew from the highlands and did 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 was the first time Ethiopian forces had to fight against a force armed with firearms.

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