Almoravid Army

Timeline

1. 1011–1020Sanhaja camps along trans-Saharan trade routes · Western SaharaSanhaja tribes such as the Lamtuna controlled trans-Saharan trade routes, using nomadic cavalry and light infantry to secure the caravan roads; the tribal confederation's military organization later provided personnel and a combat foundation for the Almoravid movement.
2. c. 1040–1080Marrakesh · MoroccoIbn Yasin and Yusuf ibn Tashfin reorganized tribal warriors into a disciplined religious army, unified the Maghreb, and established Marrakesh as their capital; the army was capable of both desert campaigns and siege warfare.
3. 1086–1110Sagrajas (Zarqa) · Al-AndalusAnswering appeals for aid from the taifa kings of Seville, the Almoravid army crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and defeated the Christian coalition led by Alfonso VI at the Battle of Sagrajas, subsequently controlling most of the taifa states of Al-Andalus.