Siege of Mahdia (1159–1160)

The siege of Mahdia was a seven month siege led by the Almohad Caliph Abd al-Mu’min against the Norman forces of King William I of Sicily.

Siege of Mahdia (1159–1160)
Part of Almohad conquest of Norman Africa
Date1159–1160
Location
Result Almohad victory
Belligerents
Almohad Caliphate Normans
Commanders and leaders
Abd al-Mu'min William I of Sicily
Strength
100,000 Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

History

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The people of Ifriqiya sought help from Abd al-Mu’min against Norman occupation.[1] Abd al-Mu’min led a large army into Tunisia and took Tripoli, Sfax and other cities from the Normans.[2] Abd al-Mu’min besieged Mahdia for seven months, eventually the Almohad navy defeated the Normans and Abd al-Mu’min negotiated with them which resulted in the Normans surrendering Mahdia thus ending Norman rule in Africa.[3][2][1]

References

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  1. ^ a b Dictionary of World Biography: The Middle Ages Frank Northen Magill, Alison Aves
  2. ^ a b A History of the Crusades, Volume 2 Kenneth M. Setton Univ of Wisconsin Press
  3. ^ The Encyclopædia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and General Literature ; the R.S. Peale Reprint, with New Maps and Original American Articles, Volume 23 Werner Company,