Aksumite–Persian wars
The Aksumite–Persian wars were a protracted series of armed engagements between the Sasanian Persian Empire and the Aksumite Empire for control over South Arabia (modern-day Yemen) in the 6th century CE. After a decisive victory at the Battle of Hadhramaut in 570, the Sasanian forces marched on and besieged Sana'a, following which the Aksumites were largely expelled from the Arabian Peninsula, however they still had direct control of Najran. The Persians instated the former Himyarite king Sayf ibn Dhī Yazan as the governor of the new Sasanian province of Yemen. However, Yazan was murdered by his Ethiopian servants four years into his reign, after which the Aksumites re-established their power in the region. Following the death of Yazan, the Sasanian army mounted a second invasion and re-conquered Yemen by 575–578, marking the end of Axumite rule in Arabia. After Sasanian control was firmly established in the region, the Persian military general Wahrez was installed as the direct governor of Yemen.
| Aksumite–Persian wars | |||||||||
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Persian miniature from Tarikh-i Bal'ami depicting the Sassanid military general Wahrez killing the Ethiopian Aksumite king Masruq ibn Abraha with an arrow | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
| Sasanian Empire |
Aksumite Yemen Local Arab tribes | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
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Khosrow I Sayf ibn Dhi-Yazan † Wahrez Nawzadh † Ma'd-Karib | Masruq ibn Abraha † | ||||||||
| Units involved | |||||||||
| 16,000 infantry (modern estimates) 800 cavalry (Tabari) | 6,000–10,000 troops | ||||||||