The
Battle of Gallabat (also called the
Battle of Metemma) was fought 9–10 March 1889 between the
Mahdist Sudanese and
Ethiopian forces. It is a critical event in Ethiopian history because
Nəgusä Nägäst (or Emperor)
Yohannes IV was killed in this battle. The fighting occurred at the site of the twin settlements of
Gallabat (in modern
Sudan) and
Metemma (in modern Ethiopia), so both names are commonly used and either can be argued to be correct.