Syrian campaigns of Ali Bey, 1770–1773

The Syrian campaigns of Ali Bey were expeditions by armies of the mamluk ruler of Egypt, Ali Bey al-Kabir, against the Ottoman governor of Damascus in November 1770–June 1771, in alliance with Daher al-Umar, the strongman of northern Palestine. The campaigns gave Ali Bey control of southern Palestine and Damascus, temporarily reconstituting the former Mamluk empire.

The campaigns ended when the commander of Ali Bey's forces, the veteran general Abu al-Dhahab, abruptly withdrew his forces to Egypt from Damascus ten days after conquering the city. Abu al-Dhahab soon after deposed Ali Bey, who took up refuge with Daher in Acre. Ali Bey and Daher did not carry on the campaign to Damascus, but recaptured Jaffa in February 1773 and defended their interests in Palestine. With Daher's backing, Ali Bey launched an expedition to regain power in Egypt in March but was defeated and captured by Abu al-Dhahab's forces on 1 May, dying days later. In March 1775, Abu al-Dhahab launched his own Syrian campaign, this time attempting to take over of Daher's domains with the tacit support of the Ottomans.

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