Kassala (, ) is the capital of the state of Kassala in eastern Sudan. In 2003 its population was recorded to be 530,950. Built on the banks of the Gash River, it is a market city and is famous for its fruit gardens. Many of its inhabitants are from the Hadendawa sub-tribe of the Beja ethnic group.

The city was formerly a railroad hub, however, as of 2006 there was no operational railway station in Kassala and much of the track leading to and from the city has been salvaged or fallen into disrepair. Kassala's location along the main Khartoum-Port Sudan highway makes it an important trade center.

History

thumb|left|Kassala locals photographed during [[Walter Mittelholzer's visit in February 1934. His Swissair Fokker F.VIIb-3 m (CH-192) is in the background.]]

In 1834, the Egyptian Army established Kassala as a garrison town following its conquest of Sudan in 1821. When the Mahdist state was established, the Egyptian garrison in Kassala found itself besieged by Mahdist forces. Under the terms of the 1884 Hewett Treaty, Abyssinian forces led by Ras Alula attempted to rescue the Egyptians. Although Ras Alula successfully defeated the Mahdists at the Battle of Kufit, he was unable to breach Kassala’s defenses and liberate the Egyptians. In 1886, after prolonged resistance, the Egyptian garrison finally surrendered to the Mahdists under Osman Digna.

On July 17, 1894, Italy annexed Kassala to Italian Eritrea. The Italians fortified the town and brought stability to the region by successfully defeating the Mahdists at the Battle of Kassala. However, Italy's defeat at the Battle of Adwa in 1896 forced the Italians to evacuate the town after failing to hold it until the arrival of advancing Anglo-Egyptian forces, who re-occupied Kassala and incorporated it into Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. on July 4, 1940 the Italians started their offensive with 2,500 men (and one brigade of cavalry) supported by 24 tanks, while to defend Kassala for Britain there were 1,300 colonial soldiers with their British officers who -after some initial heavy fighting- were easily defeated. In mid-January 1941, the Italians withdrew from the city and a British garrison returned.

|source 2 = Meteo Climat (record highs and lows)

Current status

thumb|right|The [[Khatmiyya Mosque|Khatmiyya Mosque and Khatmiyya Hasan tomb]]

thumb|right|Mukram suburb

The Kassala region had a child mortality rate of 62 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2014, slightly higher than the national average of 52 child deaths per 1,000.

The Khatmiyya Mosque, built in 1840 by the Egyptians and damaged during the Mahdist War, is the city's most important cultural site. It is an important site for the Sufi Khatmiyya order.

thumb|The Eastern side of Kassala

Education

The city is home to Kassala University, a public university established in 1990 to replace the East University, and an important institution for development in the east of Sudan.

Including Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Faculty of Education,Faculty of Economic and Administration, Faculty of Computer science and IT and more.

Notable people

  • Bushara Abdel-Nadief (footballer)
  • Aisha Musa Ahmad (singer)
  • Hassan Al-Turabi (politician)
  • Muhannad El Tahir (footballer)
  • Nizar Hamid (footballer)
  • Noor Uthman Muhammed

See also

  • 2007 Sudan floods
  • Railway stations in Sudan
  • Toteil

References

  • Kassala program, Ockenden International