Battle of Suakin (1541)

On their way to Suez, the Portuguese anchored at Massawa, and from there Dom Estevão ordered his brother Dom Cristóvão to proceed with a small forward flotilla to blockade the island of Suakin, on which its city stood, until he could arrive with reinforcements.^[2]

Made aware of the Portuguese approach by scouts, the ruler of Suakin withdrew to the mainland with his treasure and Turkish guard, and had established a camp one league (6 km) away from the coast by the time Dom Cristóvão had arrived. Dom Estevão arrived on February 22 with a larger naval force, and initiated talks, seeking to obtain pilots that would guide him to Suez where he planned to extract a ransom in exchange for not sacking the city.^[3]: 448

After several days of stalled negotiations, on March 8 Dom Estevão landed 1,000 men on the mainland before the sun had risen, determined to attack the camp.^[3]: 448 The Portuguese were divided in two squadrons of 500 men each, one commanded by the governor personally, flying a banner bearing the Cross of Christ, and another by his brother Dom Cristóvão, who would proceed in the vanguard.^[4]: 121

The Portuguese reached the camp before daybreak and managed to catch its occupants by surprise, breach into its perimeter and cause havoc in their attack, killing many and causing the rest to flee.^[4]: 121 The camp was plundered and anything that could not be carried back to the fleet was set on fire.^[5]: 122

The following day, Dom Cristóvão sacked Suakin ahead of the entirety of the Portuguese forces, who afterwards razed the city, the soldiers tearing down the buildings.^[6] Rich spoils were recovered, including food supplies, valuable merchandise as well as hostages that were returned later in exchange for ransom.^[6] The Portuguese left Suakin on 9th or 10 March 1541.^{[7]: 290 [3]: 448}

• Battle of Suez (1541)