The Battle of Hirna was an engagement fought in October 1886 between the Abyssinian army of Shewa under Dejazmach Walda Gabriel and officer Bakri Salih of the Emirate of Harar.[1] The Shewan forces were routed.[2][3]

Battle of Hirna
Part of Menelik's Expansions
DateOctober 1886
Location
Result Harari victory
Belligerents
Ethiopian Empire Shewa Emirate of Harar
Commanders and leaders
Dejazmach Walda Gabriel Bakri Salih

Background

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In response to king Menelik's orders to occupy the Emirate of Harar, in September 1886 Dejazmach Wolde Gabriel a general of Menelik invaded the Emirate of Harar and occupied the Chercher area at Hirna however his army would be ambushed by the Emirate's troops.[4]

Battle

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According to Harold G. Marcus, his army "was in poor shape, reduced to a relatively small number by sickness and desertions." A night attack by Emir 'Abd Allah's army routed the Dejazmach's force, sending them fleeing westward towards the Awash River.[5] Ethiopian historian Bahru Zewde calls it a decisive victory for the emirate's troops.[6]

Menelik's informant Asme Giyorgis, conceded the initial push towards Harar by Walda Gabryiel was a failure as the Amir's soldiers used fireworks to startle his men, forcing a retreat.[7] Harari records report Walda Gabryiel's army were strategically pushed into a wheat field full of spikes which pierced their feet, immobilizing them.[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Ahmed, Wehib. History of Harar and Hararis (PDF). p. 93.
  2. ^ Asnake, Gossa. A History of Hirna Town from Its Foundation Up to 1991. Addis Ababa University. pp. 13–14.
  3. ^ Cerulli, Enrico. Folk-literature of the Galla of Southern Abyssinia. Peabody Museum of Harvard university.
  4. ^ Walda Gabriel. Encyclopedia Aethiopica.
  5. ^ Harold G. Marcus, The Life and Times of Menelik II: Ethiopia 1844-1913, (Lawrenceville: Red Sea Press, 1995), p. 91
  6. ^ Zewde, Bahru. A History of Modern Ethiopia, 1855–1991. Ohio University Press.
  7. ^ Chelenqo. Encyclopedia Aethiopica.
  8. ^ Caulk, Richard (1971). "The Occupation of Harar: January 1887". Journal of Ethiopian Studies. 9 (2): 10–11. JSTOR 41967469.