Yemen/ Portugal: Albuquerque’s naval forces attack the Arabic port of Aden in February 1513.

Afonso de Albuquerque (1453—1515) was a Portuguese admiral whose military and administrative accomplishments as second governor of Portuguese India established the Portuguese colonial empire in the Indian Ocean. He is generally considered a military genius.

Albuquerque attempted to close all Indian Ocean naval routes to the Atlantic, Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and to the Pacific, and was responsible for building numerous fortresses to defend key strategic positions and establishing a net of diplomatic relations. Shortly before his death he was awarded viceroy and 'Duke of Goa' by king Manuel I of Portugal, becoming the first Portuguese duke not from the royal family, and the first Portuguese title landed overseas. He was known as ‘The Terrible’, ‘The Great’, ‘The Caesar of the East’, ‘Lion of the Seas’ and ‘The Portuguese Mars’. However, Albuquerque was not so lucky in Aden. In February 1513, he sailed to the Red Sea with a force of about 1,000 Portuguese and 400 Malabaris. Knowing that the mamluks were preparing a second fleet at Suez, he wanted to advance before reinforcements arrived to Aden. He laid siege to the fortified city, but after a half day of fierce battle was forced to retreat. In August 1513, he tried again, but failed, and returned to India.

There is no doubting Albuquerque’s ruthless ambition. He suggested diverting the course of the Nile River to render Egypt barren. And he even planned to steal the body of the Prophet Muhammad, and hold it for ransom until all Muslims had left the Holy Land.

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