Battle of the Assem explained

Conflict:Battle of the Assem
Place:Adwa, Tigray Province, Ethiopian Empire
Result:Victory for Kassa Mercha
Combatant1:Loyalists to Tekle Giyorgis II
Combatant2:Loyalists to Kassa Mercha
Commander1:Tekle Giyorgis II
Commander2:Kassa Mercha
John 'J.C.' Kirkham
Strength1:60,000
Strength2:12,000
Casualties1:24,000 captured, many more killed and wounded
Casualties2:Unknown

The Battle of the Assem River was fought in 1871 between the forces of Kassa Mercha of Tigray and Emperor Tekle Giyorgis II. It resulted in victory for Kassa, allowing him to eventually become crowned as Emperor of Ethiopia.[1] This battle has been noted by some as one of the first 'truly modern' battles in Ethiopian history, given that the tactics used by Kassa of Tigray revolved around the use of gunpowder weaponry.

Notes and References

  1. Caulk. Richard. October 1972. Firearms and Princely Power in Ethiopia in the Nineteenth Century. The Journal of African History. 3. 4. 609–630. 10.1017/S0021853700011968. 163096968.