The Battle of Agordat was fought in late December 1893, between an Italian colonial

Italian Eritrea

Italian Eritrea was the first colony of the Kingdom of Italy. It was created in 1890 and lasted officially until 1947.-Acquisition of Assab and creation of the colony:...

 troop and Mahdists from the Sudan

Sudan

Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...

. Emir Ahmed Ali campaigned against the Europeans

Scramble for Africa

The Scramble for Africa, also known as the Race for Africa or Partition of Africa was a process of invasion, occupation, colonization and annexation of African territory by European powers during the New Imperialism period, between 1881 and World War I in 1914...

 in eastern Sudan

Sudan

Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...

 and led about 10-12,000 men east from Kassala

Kassala

Kassala is the capital of the state of Kassala in eastern Sudan. Its 2008 population was recorded to be 419,030. It is a market town and is famous for its fruit gardens. It was formerly a railroad hub, however, as of 2006 there was no operational railway station in Kassala and much of the track...

 against 2,400 Italians

Italian Eritrea

Italian Eritrea was the first colony of the Kingdom of Italy. It was created in 1890 and lasted officially until 1947.-Acquisition of Assab and creation of the colony:...

 at Agordat

Agordat

Agordat is a city in Eritrea. It was the former capital of the now defunct Barka Province of Eritrea .- Overview :...

, west of Asmara

Asmara

Asmara is the capital city and largest settlement in Eritrea, home to a population of around 579,000 people...

, commanded by Colonel Arimondi. Over 1,000 Dervishes, including the Emir

Emir

Emir , meaning "commander", "general", or "prince"; also transliterated as Amir, Aamir or Ameer) is a title of high office, used throughout the Muslim world...

, were killed in a complete rout, thus achieving:
A year later, Italian colonial

Italian Eritrea

Italian Eritrea was the first colony of the Kingdom of Italy. It was created in 1890 and lasted officially until 1947.-Acquisition of Assab and creation of the colony:...

 forces seized Kassala

Battle of Kassala

The Battle of Kassala was fought on July 17, 1894, between Italian troops and Mahdist Sudanese forces. The Italians were victorious, and captured the town of Kassala.The Italians also captured two flags and a number of cannons....

.