Raid of Żejtun

Chapel of St. Gregory (then Parish Church of St. Catherine), which was sacked by the Ottomans

Date	6 – 12 July 1614 (6 days)
Location	Southern Malta (mainly Żejtun)
Result	Maltese victory

Belligerents

Ottoman Empire

Order of Saint John

Maltese civilians

Commanders and leaders

Khalil Pasha

Alof de Wignacourt

Clemente Tabone

Strength

5,000–6,000 men

c. 6,000–8,000 men

Casualties and losses

Some killed
c. 50 captured

20 injured

The Raid of Żejtun (Maltese: L-Aħħar Ħbit – The Last Attack) was the last major attack made by the Ottoman Empire against the island of Malta, which was then ruled by the Order of St. John. The attack took place in July 1614, when raiders pillaged the town of Żejtun and the surrounding area before being beaten back to their ships by the Order's cavalry and by the inhabitants of the south-eastern towns and villages.

The Ottomans first attempted to take Malta in 1551, when they sacked Gozo but did not take over Malta. In 1565, they made a second attempt known as the Great Siege of Malta, but they were repelled after four months of fighting. The Ottomans stayed away from Malta following the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, but began to make incursions to the central Mediterranean once again at the end of the century. In 1598, 40 Ottoman vessels were sighted off Capo Passero in Sicily, triggering a general alarm in Malta. Similar emergencies occurred in 1603 and 1610. Due to this, the Order began preparing for an Ottoman attack. The obsolete Cittadella of Gozo was rebuilt, Valletta's water supply was secured by the building of the Wignacourt Aqueduct, and coastal watchtowers began to be built.

Two hours before dawn on 6 July 1614, a considerable Turkish force of sixty ships (including 52 galleys) under the command of Khalil Pasha tried to land at Marsaxlokk Bay, but were repelled by the artillery from the newly constructed St. Lucian Tower. The fleet laid anchor at St Thomas Bay in Marsaskala, and managed to land 5000 to 6000 men unopposed.

...
Wikipedia