North Africa & Middle East
Today’s lists cover North Africa and the Middle East
Warfare in North Africa was shaped by Indigenous states, Ottoman expansion, and European coastal intervention. In the Maghreb, dynasties such as the Wattasids, Saʿdids, and Hafsid rulers relied on tribal levies, urban militias, and cavalry rooted in Arab and Berber military traditions. Warfare often involved raids, sieges, and struggles to control cities and caravan routes.
Ottoman forces entered the region in the 16th century, establishing provinces in Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli. Janissary infantry, artillery, and fortified garrisons transformed land warfare, helping defeat Spanish-backed rivals and suppress local resistance. The Saʿdid victory over Portugal at the Battle of al-Qasr al-Kabir in 1578 demonstrated the continued strength of Indigenous armies using firearms alongside traditional cavalry.
European powers, especially Spain and Portugal, conducted punitive expeditions and defended coastal strongholds, but rarely dominated inland warfare. By 1721, North African military history reflected a balance between Ottoman provincial armies, resilient Indigenous states, and limited European colonial penetration beyond the coast.
Lists Include –
- Kingdom of Morocco (Wattasid Dynasty)
- Sultanate of Oman
- Yemen (Tahirid Dynasty)
- Sharif of Mecca and Hejaz
- Desert Bedouin
- Kingdom of Ormus
- Trastámaran Spain (Conquering the North African Maghrib)
- Jabrid dynasty (Al-Hasa, Qatif, and Bahrain)
- Kingdom of Portugal (Tangier Garrison)
- Trastámaran Spain (Conquest of the Canary Islands)
- Guanche People
- Kingdom of Morocco (Sa’di Dynasty)
- Kingdom of Portugal (Persian Gulf)
- Kingdom of Portugal (Aviz Dynasty)
- Kingdom of Morocco (‘Alawi Dynasty)
- Republic of Venice (Cretan Wars)
- Stuart England (Tangier Garrison)
The lists set can be found here
