Skanderbeg's Macedonian campaign

Skanderbeg's Macedonian campaign
Fushata e Skënderbeut në Maqedoni
Part of Albanian–Ottoman Wars (1432–1479)
DateAugust 1462
Location
Western Macedonia
Result Albanian victory
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.