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Ottoman Conquest of Damascus

Type Event Region Syria Time 1516

After the Battle of Marj Dabiq in August 1516, Selim I advanced into Syria; Damascus opened its gates on October 3, and Selim wintered there to prepa…

Timeline

  1. 1516Line from Aleppo to Homs · SyriaSelim I marched south from Aleppo; Hama surrendered on September 19 and Homs on September 21. The Mamluk beys' conference in Damascus to install a new sultan broke up fruitlessly amid infighting, and Syria's defensive system collapsed.
  2. 1516Damascus · DamascusThe emir of Damascus, Nasir al-Din, surrendered and Ottoman forces entered the city center. At Qasr al-Ablaq, fortress commanders from across Syria, Arab emirs, and Lebanese Druze leaders swore allegiance to Selim, and the Ottomans appointed sanjak beys to govern the localities.
  3. 1516–1517Damascus · DamascusSelim stayed in Damascus for about two and a half months, establishing the Ottoman administrative system, repairing damaged structures such as the tomb of Ibn Arabi, and sending a letter of submission to the newly enthroned Tumanbay II, making final preparations for the march into Egypt.

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