At the beginning of the siege, Ibrahim experienced incredible luck. As Charles Napier noted, if a storm had arisen, not a single ship would have been able to return to Alexandria.[6] 20,000 Egyptian soldiers approached the fortress.[7] In accordance with the Egyptian plans Acre was besieged by sea and land. On December 9 an attempt was made to overwhelm the place with a com-bined bombardment from the shipping and the land batteries. But the ships suffered considerable damage and the land batteries made small impression. [8]
On March 3, all batteries opened fire on the fortress. The fire created a breach through which 30 men were able to pass.[9]
On March 7, a second assault on the fortress began. The Egyptians launched several attacks but were repelled with heavy losses.Abdullah Pasha even personally participated in the battle with his best troops.[10] Abdullah may not have been particularly honest or wise, but he was a brave and decisive man, and the siege in its early stages was conducted with great skill.[11] It almost succeeded. A party of the stormers penetrated to the market place, but finding themselves unsupported had to withdraw.[12] Ultimately, the Egyptian forces retreated, suffering 1,200 casualties. The ships that participated in the battle, seriously damaged, sailed to Alexandria for repairs[13] Ibrahim's position began to appear critical[14]
At the end of March, Osman Pasha's army, several thousand strong, arrived in Tripoli. However, during his first attempt to take it, he was defeated and forced to retreat. A battalion was sent after him to pursue Osman Pasha. In the ensuing clash, both armies were forced to retreat to their camps[15][16]
Ibrahim Pasha, concerned about the situation in Tripoli, delegated command to one of his generals and set out for Tripoli with an army of 8,000 and six cannons. Almost as soon as Ibrahim appeared before the Turks, Osman Pasha fled, joining forces with the Pasha of Aleppo. After arriving in Tripoli, he advanced on Homs. However, facing unexpected resistance from Serasker Mehmed Pasha, he was forced to retreat to Khan-Kassir.[17] There, he encountered the combined forces of three pashas and engaged in battle. After several hours of fighting, Ibrahim was forced to withdraw from the battlefield, suffering heavy losses.[18]
Abdullah Pasha, learning that Ibrahim Pasha's main forces were in the Lebanese mountains at the time, decided to make a sortie. Having lured the Egyptian army under the fortress, the remaining troops in Acre emerged and opened fire on the Egyptians. The besiegers were soon surrounded and routed, suffering serious artillery damage.[19] The Egyptian troops retreated, giving Abdullah time to restore the fortress's fortifications.[20]
Following these events, Ibrahim Pasha returned to the siege of Acre, and on May 19, he began a massive assault on the fortress. By that time, Acre was practically destroyed.[21]
On May 27, the general assault on Acre began. The Egyptians successfully breached the garrison walls, only encountering difficulties at the Kapu-Burju tower. Ultimately, Abdullah Pasha surrendered, and on May 27, Egyptian troops occupied the fortress.[22] After the siege, of Abdullah Pasha who was sent as a prisoner of war to Egypt.[23] Egyptian losses are estimated at 2,000,[24] although there are reports of losses as high as 4,500.[25] The Ottoman garrison was virtually annihilated.[26]
Egypt
Ottoman Empire