Ottoman–Ethiopian War (1557–1589) in the context of "Abyssinian-Adal War"

The Ottoman–Ethiopian War was a period of military conflicts lasting from 1557 to 1589 between the Ottoman Empire and its allies on one side and the Ethiopian Kingdom on the other. The war was triggered with the Ottoman Empire invading territories of the Ethiopian Kingdom starting in 1557, when Özdemir Pasha took the port city of Massawa and the adjacent city of Arqiqo, followed by Debarwa, then capital of the Bahr Negus Yeshaq. The conflict continued over the next three decades and would only end in 1589. Afterwards, like Ottoman rule in North Africa, Yemen, Bahrain, and Lahsa, the Turks had no "effective, long term control" outside of the port and island where there was a direct Ottoman presence. As a result, the Ottomans were left with domain over Massawa, Arqiqo, and some of the nearby coastal environs, which were soon transferred to the control of Beja Na'ibs (deputies).

Yeshaq sought the assistance of Emperor Gelawdewos. Upon being reinforced by a large Abyssinian army, he recaptured Debarwa, taking all the gold the invaders had piled within. After growing disillusioned with the new Emperor of Ethiopia, Menas, he revolted with Ottoman support in 1560. He then pledged his allegiance again with the crowning of Emperor Sarsa Dengel. However, not long after, Yeshaq revolted once again with Ottoman support. He was defeated by the Emperor once and for all along with his Ottoman ally, the Beylerbey of Habesh, Ahmad Pasha, at the Battle of Addi Qarro where both were killed. The Ottomans abandoned their further territorial ambitions in 1589 after a series of defeats at the hands of the Ethiopian Emperor Sarsa Dengel.