The ‘’‘Battle of Aïn Chabou’’’ was an engagement between the forces of Abd al-Samad al-Shabi and those of Murad Bey, fought as part of the conflict between the Shabiyya and the authorities of the Beylik of Tunis. The battle took place at Aïn Chabou, near Tébessa, in a region between the Tell and the Sahara.
Background After the death of the former emir, Muhammad Zafzaf, Abd al-Samad al-Shabi succeeded him in 1577 and continued the struggle against the Ottoman Empire in northwestern Tunisia. He allied himself with Arab and Berber tribes with the aim of retaking Kairouan, which had been captured by the Ottomans during this period.Youssef, Ben Haidah, 2020, p.196
Battle Murad I Bey’s army, consisting of approximately 2,000 cavalrymen, advanced towards the Shabiyya camp at Aïn Chabou. Along the way, they encountered a hunter from the Hanencha tribe, an ally of the Shabiyya, and questioned him about the whereabouts of Abd al-Samad al-Shabi. The two forces subsequently clashed at Aïn Chabou, where Murad I Bey’s army was defeated and forced to retreat. The Shabiyya forces pursued the retreating cavalry as far as Beja before returning to their camp. Murad I Bey’s forces reportedly suffered around 150 fatalities.Tawfik, Ben Zirda, 2013, p.69
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