The Second Turkish-Portuguese War, an armed military conflict between Portugal and Ottoman Empire, fought in the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea and in East Africa, takes place againstthe backdrop of the Ethiopian-Adal War.

Ethiopia had been invaded in 1529 by Adalite Imam Ahmed Gargn.

Portuguese help, which had first been sought by Emperor Lebna Dengel in 1520 to help defeat Adal while it was weak, finally arrives in Mitsiwa on February 10, 1541, during the reign of Emperor Galawdewos.

The force is led by Cristóvão da Gama (second son of Vasco da Gama) and includes 400 musketeers and few Portuguese cavalry as well as a number of artisans and other non-combatants.