Battle of Beadala (1538)

The Battle of Beadala was a military engagement that took place in 1538 between forces of the Adal Sultanate, led by Imam Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi, and the Ethiopian Empire, commanded by Emperor Gelawdewos. This battle was a significant event in the Ethiopian-Adal War, a prolonged conflict that reshaped the political landscape of the Horn of Africa in the 16th century. The Ethiopian forces were victorious, dealing a considerable blow to the Adal Sultanate and pushing back their advance into Ethiopian territory. The victory is attributed, in part, to the adoption of firearms by the Ethiopian army, acquired through trade with Portuguese allies. The battle is noted for its impact on the war's trajectory, contributing to the eventual decline of the Adal Sultanate's power and influence.