Circassian–Kumyk wars

Circassian-Kumyk Wars
	; Circassian nobles
Date	Mid-16th century – Early 18th century
Location	Sunzha region, Kabardia and Dagestan
Result	Inconclusive • Kabardia remains independent from the Shamkhalate; • Vassalisation of the Shevkalate by Russia in 1786;
Belligerents
Circassian states:; Kabardia; Abazashta; Principality of Besleney; Supported by:; Tsardom of Russia (from 1557)	Kumyk states:; Shamkhalate of Tarki; Kingdom of Endirey; Tyumen Khanate; Supported by:; Chechens; Avar Khanate; Crimean Khanate; Ottoman Empire; Nogais; § Battle of Malka (1641):; Tsardom of Russia ; Talostan-Klekhshtan principalities
Commanders and leaders
Qeytuqo Beslanov; Aleguko Shogenukov; Temryuk Idar; Vartan Ortanov; Yelzheruqo Qanoqo; Lev Achba; Hatokhshoqo III; Mutsal Cherkassky; Klych Sauslanov †; Kambolet Idarov; Qeytuqo Qeytuqov	Buday I †; Surkhay I †; Muhammad Shamkhal †; Aidemir Shamkhal †; Chopan ibn Buday; Adil-Gerey I; Surkhay III Sultan-Mahmud of Endirey (WIA); Kazanalp-murza

The Circassian–Kumyk Wars or Kabardian–Kumyk Wars were a series of conflicts between the feudal lords of Kabardia, Abazins, and the Principality of Besleney supported by the Russian Empire and the Kumyks supported by Crimean allies from the mid-16th century to the early 18th century. These wars were characterized by power struggles for dominance in the North-Eastern Caucasus. The rivalry was fueled by shifting alliances with major regional powers such as Russia, the Ottoman Empire, and Safavid Iran.