Skanderbeg's Macedonian campaign Fushata e Skënderbeut në Maqedoni | |||||||
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Part of Albanian–Ottoman Wars (1432–1479) | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
League of Lezhë | Ottoman Empire | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Skanderbeg |
1st invasion: Hasan bey (POW) 2nd invasion: Isuf bey 3rd invasion: Karaza bey | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
8,000 |
1st invasion: Unknown 2nd invasion: 18,000 3rd invasion: 34,000 | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
Unknown | Very heavy losses |
Skanderbeg's Macedonian campaign (Albanian: Fushata e Skënderbeut në Maqedoni) was a preemptive campaign into the Ottoman Empire in Macedonia by Skanderbeg to defeat three Ottoman armies which had been prepared for the joint-invasion of Albania. From 1461 to 1462, Skanderbeg campaigned in Italy to protect his ally, Ferdinand I, from being overrun by the Angevin dynasty which claimed the Kingdom of Naples. Before setting out for Italy, Skanderbeg forged a truce with Sultan Mehmed II. Upon returning to Albania after securing Ferdinand, the Venetians became hostile to Skanderbeg and a sort of undeclared war took place. Mehmed saw an opportunity to attack Skanderbeg and sent three armies in one year. All three were defeated by Skanderbeg, however, in August 1462.