Draft:1657 Ottoman Campaign in Palestine

The 1657 Ottoman campaign in Palestine was a military expedition launched by the Ottoman Empire to reassert control over Palestine and suppress local unrest. The campaign reflected the Empire’s effort to stabilize its holdings in the region during a period marked by internal strife and decentralization. The campaign was led by Köprülü Mehmed Pasha, the influential Grand Vizier appointed to restore order in various Ottoman territories.

Background

Map of the Ottoman Empire (1654), Nicolas Sanson

In the mid-17th century, the Ottoman Empire was experiencing significant internal challenges, including economic hardships, military revolts, and challenges from provincial leaders who held substantial local power. Palestine, a region within the Ottoman administrative framework and that fell within the Damascus Eyalet, had increasingly become difficult for the central authorities to control. Local leaders often defied orders from Istanbul, leading to a breakdown in central authority.

The Köprülü era, established in the early 1650s, aimed to restore Ottoman authority by strengthening administrative and military control in strategic areas, including Palestine. Köprülü Mehmed Pasha was known for his decisive actions and strict approach to governance, which sought to quell dissent across the empire. By 1657, he turned his attention toward Palestine, where unrest and local insubordination had become pressing issues.