The siege of Tlemcen took place in 1242 and marked an important stage in the Campaigns of Abu Zakariya Yahya. It opposed the forces of the Kingdom of Tlemcen to those of the Hafsids, and ended with the defeat of Tlemcen, leading to its vassalization.
Background In 1226, Emir Abu Zakariya Yahya broke away from the Almohads and began an expansion toward the west, which brought him to Tlemcen in 1242.
Course of events The Hafsids took position in the surroundings of Tlemcen. Yaghmurasen Ibn Zyan marched out with his troops, but the Hafsids responded by harassing his forces, which were forced to retreat behind the city walls. Abu Zakariya Yahya and his troops then breached the city's defenses, prompting the flight of King Yaghmurasen Ibn Zyan and his family.
Aftermath The siege of Tlemcen resulted in the vassalization of the Kingdom of Tlemcen and opened the road to Morocco for the continuation of the Hafsid sultan's campaigns.
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