Re-occupation of Kassala. 193 strong force proceeded eastwards from Kassala (then under the command of Mnssaid, who had superseded Abu Girgeh in 1891) with that object. The Dervish force of about 12,000, under Ahmed Ali, arrived at Kassala in November, and pushed forward towards Agordat, an Italian post more than half-way to Massawa. Battle of Here Colonel Arimondi, with a native force of only a JfDecemlittle over 2,000 men, with 42 officers, met them and her, 1893.

inflicted a severe defeat on them (21.12.93), killing Ahmed Ali and routing the force completely.

In the following July, Colonel Baratieri, with 2,510 1894. men, made a fine forced march from Agordat, and sur- Capture of prised and took Kassala on the 17th of that month. He nth July, thereupon commenced fortifying it, and the town was 1894 -successfully held by the Italians for nearly two and a half years. The Khalifa wras furions, and ordered Ahmed ] 895.

Eedil and Osman Digna to retake it. Nothing, however, was done till the 18th March, 1896, when the Dervishes, 1896.

in consequence of the severe defeat of the Italians by the Abyssinians at Adna on the 1st of that month, attacked Sabderat and were repulsed. Subsequently, on the 2nd Mokramand and 3rd April, they fought two severely contested actions i%r ™i896.

at Mokram and Tukruf, just outside Kassala, but on both occasions they were decisively beaten by the Italians under Colonel Stevani, and were forced to retreat.

The only event of importance that took place at Suakin Indian in 1896 was the arrival of an Indian brigade in May to i"9| ade' replace the Egyptian garrison called to the Nile, and to act as a menace to the Khalifa from the Eastern Sudan.

No opportunity for fighting occurred, and the Indians left for home in December.

In consequence of the occupation of Berber in Sep-1897. teruber, 1897, the Suakin-Berber road was once more opened for trade and transport, and the 4th Egyptian Battalion passed over it in security in the last days of the year. On the 25th December, 1897, the town of Kassala Kassala rewas taken over by Egypt, and garrisoned by the 16th E edby Battalion, &c, under Colonel Parsons. The Sheikh El Morgani was brought from Suakin to the Jioly place of his ancestors, the Khatmieh, just outside Kassala, and this act had the result of still further alienating Dervish (386) o