Abu Abdullah II

In 1423, Abu Abdullah overthrew the ruler of Tlemcen, Abu Malek I Abd al-Wahid, who, after deposition, fled to Morocco . The new ruler was supported by the influential Hafsid Sultan Abu Faris Abd al-Aziz (1393-1434), with whom Abu Abdullah soon came into conflict. Abu Malek, having not received help from the Marinids in Fez , sent his son to Tunisia , where Abu Faris received him and handed back a letter inviting Abu Malek to Tunisia. On the way back, the young prince was captured by the faithful Abu Abdullah II people, a letter was found, and the boy was executed. Abu Abdullah motivated his ruthlessness by the fact that the boy helped his enemies. Having learned about the death of his son and the letter of Abu Faris, Abu Malek went to Tunisia, where the sultan, angry with the ruler of Tlemcen, promised Abu Malek to help return to the throne. In support of his claims to power, Abu Malek showed Abu Faris several false letters in which influential residents of Tlemcen, led by Ibn Abu Hammad (formerly Hajib Abu Abdullah II), allegedly turned to him for help. By that time, Abu Faris had gathered an army for an expedition to Jarid (south of Tunisia) and decided to allocate part of the army to Abu Malek for a campaign on Tlemcen. Part of the contingent separated and went to Constantine, whose governor, Ja al-Khair, in exchange reinforced the expedition with his own forces. Soon, the army united under the leadership of Jah al-Khaira was located near Tlemcen. Tlemcen’s army made a sortie and was able to occupy the surrounding heights, captured the prisoners and sent the army of Tunisia to flight. Among the prisoners were two generals whom Abu Faris suspected of treason (the brother of one of them was executed by Abu Faris). The Sultan asked Abu Abdullah to give him these prisoners, but was refused. Then Abu Faris launched a full-fledged military campaign against Tlemcen and personally besieged the city. Abu Abdullah had to flee west, and Abu Malek I returned to the throne (April or May 1428 ).

Soon Abu Abdullah II went east and found refuge in the mountains of Breska and Tenes . From the Arab tribes, he formed an army, which on the night of July 26, 1430 recaptured Tlemcen. Abu Malek I was captured and executed at dawn on July 26 .

Abu Faris soon learned of the fall of Abu Malek, and 84 days later ( October 19, 1430 ) he approached Tlemcen at the head of the army. Abu Abdullah II fled again with some strength and took refuge in the lands of the Beni-Essnassen clan. Abu Faris sent troops against him that blocked Abu Abdullah's supporters in the fortress. The clan elders convinced the runaway emir to surrender, thereby showing courage in the face of the sultan. However, when he was taken to Abu Faris, he was shackled and thrown into prison, and then executed with some supporters. Then Abu Faris returned to Tunisia, but before that his people in Tlemcen asked who should be enthroned. Abu Faris appointed Abu Abbas Ahmad ibn Abu Hammu , who ruled under the name Abu Abbas Ahmad I ( March 15, 1431 ).

• Histoire des Beni Zeiyan pel xeic Mohammed Abd'al-Djalil al-Tenesy, traducció de l'abat Bargès