Siege of Almería (1157)

In January 1157, a military force composed of Almohads and Andalusians advanced by land to Almeria. The Almohads were commanded by Abu Sa’eed while the Andalusians were led by Ahmed bin Milhan. In addition to these forces, an Almohad naval taskforce commanded by Abdullah bin Sulieman was used to block access to the city from the Mediterranean Sea.^[1][2]

In preparation for a siege, Sa’eed established a camp on a hill that overlooked the city. A wall protected by a trench was constructed from the Almohad camp down the hillside to the sea. Trebuchets were set-up and the siege of the city began.^[1][2]

By means of a sortie, the defenders of Almeria attacked the Muslim siegers but were driven back. As the siege progressed, the garrison sent messengers to Alfonso VII seeking assistance. Ultimately, the defenders of the city were forced to retreat into the citadel where the siege continued.^[1][3]

After Alfonso VII learned of the siege, he hurried to relieve the besieged city with an army of 12,000 knights supported by 6,000 Muslims led by the King of theTaifa of Murcia, ibn Mardanīsh. During the siege, a quarrel developed between the Almohad naval commander, bin Sulieman and the Andalusian military commander, bin Milhan. As a result of the dispute, the Andalusians defected and threw their support to the relieving force of Murcia led by ibn Mardanīsh.^[2][3][4][5]

The Almohad siege continued despite the reinvigorated attempt of Alfonso VII and ibn Mardanīsh to relieve the city. Alfonso VII and ibn Mardanīsh ultimately withdrew in frustration, leaving the city's fate to the Almohads. In August, the exhausted garrison surrendered in exchange for their lives^[2][3][4][5]

The Christian garrison returned to their homeland by sea.^[2] King Alfonso VII died on August 21 on the road to Toledo while ibn Mardanīsh returned to his taifa^[6] At Almeria, the Almohads captured many war machines.^[3]