The Aceh Sultanate was noted to have had a close relationship with the Utsmani Sultanate (Ottoman Empire). The Sultanate of Aceh Darussalam began to stand since the 16th century with Sultan Ali Mughayat Syah as his first sultan. At that time, Aceh was an influential empire in the region of Sumatra. The Sultanate of Aceh Darussalam became expansive in the era of Sultan Alauddin al-Kahhar's leadership. To expand power and improve its economy, Aceh is ambitious to take control of the Malacca Strait which is the international spice trade line. To that end, Aceh must compete with the Sultanate of Johor and Portuguese who control Malacca.
There are various motives underlying the dispute between the Aceh Sultanate and the Portuguese. Not only political cases, economic competition to religion became the motive that describes the relationship between Aceh and Portuguese. Not only controlled Malacca, the Indian Ocean was then dominated by the Portuguese sea fleet. The trading ships from Aceh sailing towards the Middle East were subjected to attacks by Portuguese warships.

Feeling harmed by Portuguese maneuvers, Aceh later sent envoys to Turkey, asking for military help. Recorded in 1547, in the era of Sultan Suleiman I, the Ambassador of Aceh came to Istanbul. The envoy from Aceh called for military assistance in the form of a fleet and a cannon to confront the Portuguese. The petition was granted by Sultan Suleiman I who felt responsible for protecting Muslim ships from the Portuguese attack.

Since then, the correspondence between Aceh and Turkey in the 16th century began intensively and continued in the reign of Sultan Selim II. Just like its predecessor, Sultan Selim II also provided military assistance in the form of ships, artillery troops, and other weapons that Aceh needed to attack the Portuguese. To that end, Turkey sent an expedition led by Admiral Kurtoglu Hizir Reis to Aceh. Although later the expedition was diverted to quell the insurgency in Yemen. But Turkish military weapons and technicians managed to arrive in Aceh.

According to Portuguese records in 1582, each year Aceh sent envoys along with prizes such as gold, precious stones, spices, and perfumes to the Ottoman sultan. In addition, Aceh also builds spice trade to the Middle East. In return, Turkey provides military assistance in the form of armaments, military experts, and protection for Aceh. The relationship then made Aceh a protectorate area of ​​the Ottoman Empire until the 18th century.

Being part of the empire of the Ottoman Empire, the Sultanate of Aceh Darussalam then became a country with military power that counted in the region of Sumatra and Malacca. Several times Aceh was able to defeat the Portuguese in various battles. In addition, Acehnese ships were allowed to use Turkish flags.

Furthermore, the flag of the Sultanate of Aceh Darussalam is red with a crescent moon, a star, and a white sword, resembling the flag of the Ottoman Empire. One of the relics of the Sultanate of Aceh Darussalam, Meriam Lada Secupak, is one of Turkey's cannon.

Meriam Lada “Sicupak”
Meriam Lada “Sicupak” the Kingdom of Turkey gifts to the Sultanate of Aceh whose replicas were stored in Meuseum Aceh

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