In February 1507, an armada of 16 ships commanded by Tristão da Cunha and assisted by Afonso de Albuquerque docked at Malindi, en route to India via the island of Socotra.

[2] The King of Malindi had been a faithful vassal of the Portuguese since the maiden voyage of Vasco da Gama to India in 1497, and at that instance, the King requested assistance from the Portuguese against the hostile cities of Oja, Lamu and Barawa.

[3][4] Upon reaching Barawa, the Portuguese first sent an ambassador called Leonel Coutinho, and offered the city the chance to submit without a fight, which was refused.

[5] Immediately the Portuguese surrounded the city, examining with the utmost carefulness where they could force an entrance.

[5] Coming under attack from flaming arrows, the Portuguese scaled the wall at a weak point discovered by Afonso de Albuquerque and the defenses were breached.