Hafsid campaign in Kairouan and Sousse

The Hafsid Campaign to Kairouan and Sousse took place in 1537 and pitted the Shabiya Emirate against the Hafsid dynasty and the Kingdom of Sicily.

Background In 1536, the fall of Bizerte to the Spanish set the region ablaze. Local inhabitants were forced to finance the reconstruction of their own defenses, a burden that fueled the growing resentment of the Shabiya towards the Hafsids.

The Expedition In 1537, Sidi Arafah led a rebellion in Kairouan against the authority of the Hafsids. In response, the Sultan sought assistance from Charles V, who dispatched his army to Kairouan and landed forces at Sousse. Despite these efforts, the expedition ended in a fiasco, and both the Spanish and the Hafsids suffered heavy losses.

Aftermath Two years later, Andrea Doria exacted his revenge by launching attacks against Kelibia, Sousse, Monastir, and Sfax. However, this did not prevent a second defeat at the hands of the Chabbia in Kairouan in 1542.

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