War in Bejaia

1510-1511

Kabylia's development into a center of Amazigh power and culture in the wake of growing Iberian aggressiveness and Zayyanid centralization had strong ramifications for both Tlemcen and Bejaia. In Bejaia specifically, it had sped up the decline in authority and unity within the Emirate. The traditional social bonds of the area had started to be under severe stress, and the Emir's no longer tenable situation had become the topic of discussion in the courts of both Tlemcen and Tunis. The Zayyanid Sultan had personally raised an army of his own men and their ally the Banu Hilal. A well-known Arab tribe that was numerous and quite influential in Algeria, they claimed the title of Emir of Bejaia for one of their own, Anzar Malak, a prominent chieftain who had secured a direct alliance with the Sultan of Tlemcen with a marriage. The Hafsid Caliph had taken risen his own army, intending on removing the troublesome relatives of his that had ruled for centuries there and now seemed on the cusp of crumbling.

The Emir, for his part, had also taken to organizing a defense of his Emirate against his ambitious neighbor, the Zayyanids, and his gluttonous liege, the Caliph. After gathering a force of Bejaian locals, he decided on a strategy of diffusing tensions and fear in the other urban centers of the Emirate including his ally the Emir of Constantine. However, his two-sided strategy quickly fell flat on its face. Emir Ahmed's appeals to a resolution to the current state of affairs in Bejaia's favor, the gross incompetency of who he paints as the main threat, the Hafsid Caliph, fail on mostly deaf ears. His arguments are much too weak compared to the fear that has struck the Emirate, and when he begins to offer coin in desperation his bid falls in his face. His authority furthered weakened by his public desperation, he quickly loses the trust and loyalty of his own courtiers. The network of the court in Bejaia became a weapon used against the Emir as key bribes never ended up where they were supposed to, and much of his wealth is squandered trying to secure his own title. Meanwhile, the Hafsids move an army supported by their own navy as well to strike their closest enemy, the Emir of Constantine. The Caliph still lacks much of his own authority, and does not fear leaving his capital city, and his army moves slowly if well-fed. The Zayyanids and their allies head off from Algiers and along the rocky and difficult coastline. The Sultan of Beni Abbas watches with a careful eye, but lets them pass. The Banu Hilal also cooperate and secure key positions within the army that allow the force to travel quickly, if dangerously, where they are able to follow through with their Sultan's aggressive strategy. They move to besiege Bejaia itself, as they soon learn the Emir did not wield the loyalty of his men enough to be confident in a battle on the field. The supply of the large Zayyanid and allied army was a constant issue, but the Sultan's preparations for the siege camp were nothing short of genius. The city itself was not particularly well-fortified, and the Zayyanid army found itself in a very strong position surrounding the walls.

The Hafsids have now approached the city of Constantine which has also organized a defense of itself. The Hafsid army decides on a more cautious approach where they attempt to breach the walls. A breach is eventually made in the north after some time, but the defenders easily repulse an assault made shortly thereafter. The siege progresses slowly, and eventually it reaches the month of May. At this point, the Zayyanids have also secured a number of weak points in the wall and attempt a multi-front assault on the city. They find much success in the East of the city, where soon after the defenders surrender. The Emir is personally captured by the Zayyanid Sultan when he is found tied to his own bed naked, a number of his wives nearby promising they have supported the victorious in stopping his supposed planned escape. The victory came at a very low loss to the Zayyanids and the Banu Hilal, and the Sultan was ambitious. They prepared to take on the Emir of Constantine, who was still fighting the besieging Hafsids. The Hafsids have breached in the East of the city of Constantine as the month of June rolls around, where costly assaults become commonplace. The Hafsid army originally lacked cohesion and loyalty to the war originally, as the Caliph was only seeking to secure his own power, and with the attackers camp having disease begin to spread the siege was called off.

Hizir's Hijinks

Hizir Reis had been particularly active in the affairs of Tunisia. He had gained the loyalty of some in important locations in the city of Tunis, in particular the Captain of the Guard. In cooperation with him, Hizir had hoped to install some of his own men in important positions. Such attempts failed over and over again, as the situation made it very difficult to do without potentially alerting the Hafsids to the treachery of their pirate ally. Undeterred and uncaught, Hizir arrives at port in the city to meet with the Grand Vizier and offer his support in their efforts against the Bejaians and potentially others. Able to keep suspicions low regarding the number of men packed on his handful of ships, the Harbormaster remains loyal to Hizir as well and manages all the paperwork and pays a blind eye to the developments. However, Hizir had expected the Caliph to be campaigning himself and not present in the city. The royal guards had also been put on high alert with the outbreak of war, and the number had doubled in recent times. The Grand Vizier had also recently taken to ensuring they had been paid well, and on time.

Hizir was forced to proceed with the utmost caution and ensure execution was flawless. He and his lieutenants were able to secure the rooms for their men best situated for a palace coup, and he is able to bribe the right harbor guards and court officials to protect the secrecy of the movements of gear and men come the prime night. Meanwhile, a runner from the Hafsid army bearing the news of the failure at Constantine and the return of the army to Tunis was ostensibly on his way, though they seemed to be particularly slow this time. Hizir, also unaware of this, nonetheless finally sends the orders to attack his host and ally. The pirates are able to dispatch of the guards who were still poorly trained relatively speaking, first securing their immediate locations and soon after the palace complex at large. Hizir is even able to capture the Caliph in his bedchambers without problem, making him a prisoner in his own home. The day begins with the pirate captain in command of the palace in Tunis, but news will spread through the city eventually. The Hafsid army is also approaching slowly, unaware of the development in the city.

Second Battle of Constantine

The Zayyanids and Banu Hilal approach the city of Constantine, but this time the Emir has left the safety of his city to fight in the outcroppings nearby. His force is outnumbered significantly but the city had not nearly recovered from the earlier Hafsid siege. The Zayyanids and Banu Hilal were tired and hungry from the campaign and their lack of supplies, and the Emir could tell from scout reports early. The Banu Hilal have otherwise pacified much of the countryside from potentially threatening local tribes and towns, and take the advantage in preliminary skirmishing with the soldiers of Constantine. This continues until the Banu Hilal charge the frontlines, where many perish on the edge of a spear. A general melee soon follows with the Zayyanids losing the left and center. The Sultan is able to maintain cohesion amongst his men after the powerful early defeat on the field, where another crash and melee ensue. The Constantines are able to hold strong once more, though bloodied, and the Zayyanids and allies are forced to give the field. These issues are still present as the Zayyanids and Banu Hilal retreat back, and are forced to end any offensives for the rest of the year.

Tripoli

The Knights have landed and built a makeshift wooden fort in Tripoli.

TL;DR

• The Banu Hilal have declared themselves Emirs of Bejaia, allies of Tlemcen. They have taken Bejaia itself and much of the Emirate

• The Hafsids as well as Tlemcen have failed to take Constantine, who's Emir still stands

• The Sultan of Beni Abbas watches from the sidelines

• Hizir Reis has taken control of the palace and harbor in Tunis as well as the Caliph himself

Map