The war zone of 1198-1199 between the Zab and Constantine.
Yahya ibn Ghaniya, turned back from Constantine, cut down the palms of Biskra and stormed it, then routed the Almohad army of the sayyid Abu'l-Hasan near Constantine and took its camp. The plains between, from the Aures foot and Tobna north to the approaches of Setif and Constantine, are ridden over by his horsemen and Arab allies and cannot be farmed in safety that winter. Who raids whom: Yahya ibn Ghaniya from Biskra against the Almohad towns of Constantine, Setif and Mila.
Anchors: Biskra for Yahya; Constantine, Setif and Bougie for the Almohads. Last campaign: the storming of Biskra (before 1199 was out) and the battle near Constantine, reported to al-Nasir in 596 (22 October 1199 to 10 October 1200), most likely fought in 1199 but not pinned.
Who raids here
Yahya ibn Ghaniya and his Arab and Ghuzz followers, from Biskra
Raided
The Almohad towns and villages of the Constantinois
Fortresses
- Biskra (Yahya)
- Constantine (Almohad)
- Setif (Almohad)
Last campaign
The battle near Constantine, reported to al-Nasir in 596 (22 October 1199 to 10 October 1200); most likely fought in 1199, not pinned
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Ibn Khaldun records the campaign; the extent of the raided zone is inferred.
On the map: Approximate.
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.