Chelif River campaign

Chelif River Campaign
Part of Campaigns of Abu Zakariya Yahya
Map of Chelif River
Date 1235 Location Chelif River , Algeria Result Hafsid victory
Belligerents
Banu Mandil Banu Tudjin	Hafsid dynasty
Commanders and leaders
Abd al-Qawi (POW)	Abu Zakariya Yahya
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

The Chelif River campaign took place in 1235 and was part of the military expeditions of the first Hafsid caliph, Abu Zakariya Yahya. It was fought between his army and the tribes of the valley, including the Banu Tujin and the Banu Mandil. The campaign ended with the annexation of the Chelif River valley, opening access to the route towards Morocco.

Background

The Banu Tujin and Banu Mandil were two Zenata tribes that, following the collapse of the Almohad Caliphate, came to control the Chelif River valley. They were the principal rivals of the Zayyanids of Tlemcen.

Campaign

In 1235, Abu Zakariya Yahya marched against the Banu Tujin in the Ouarsenis valley and captured their leader, Abd al-Qawi. He subsequently released him and secured the submission of the Banu Tujin. Abd al-Qawi would later go so far as to participate in the siege of Tlemcen in 1242.

As for the Banu Mandil, Abu Zakariya Yahya did not need to fight to secure their submission. The leader of the Banu Mandil turned to him for support in the face of the Zayyanid threat.

Aftermath

The new leader of the Banu Mandil, Ali ibn Mandil, requested assistance from Abu Zakariya Yahya to launch a military expedition against Tlemcen in 1241. The expedition was carried out the following year, in 1242, and the Zayyanids pledged allegiance to the Hafsids.

References

Sources