Complex sentence: During the 13th and 14th centuries, portions of Fezzan were part of the Kanem Empire, and the Ottoman rulers of North Africa asserted their control over the region in the 17th century.
Split into simpler sentences: During the 13th and 14th centuries, portions of Fezzan were part of the Kanem Empire. The Ottoman rulers of North Africa asserted their control over the region in the 17th century.