Siege of Acre (1189–1191)

Belligerents

Ayyubid Sultanate of EgyptCommanders and leaders

Saladin
Emir Mojili †
Aibek al-Akhresh †
Ibn al-Bessarau †
Imad ed-Din Sinjari
Hossam ad-Din Lulu
Moezz ad-Din
Al-Adil I
Gökböri
Baha al-Din Qaraqush
Husam al-Din Abu'l-Hayja
Ibn Barik †
Sayf ad-Din Mashtub(POW)
Shirkuh ibn Bakhel the Kurd

Strength

Total: 59,000 men
102 ships
Initially: 7,000–10,000 men
End: 25,000 men
11 trebuchets

Total: 45,000–50,000 men
- Garrison: 5,000–10,000 men
- Relief force:
  - 40,000 men
  - 50 galleys

Casualties and losses 19,000 dead
Potenially 100,000 casualties

Heavy French casualties
Over 10,000 killed in 1189 alone

Garrison: 5,000–10,000 dead
Relief force: Heavy

Contemporary Source: Up to 60,000 Muslims killed

The siege of Acre was the first significant counterattack by Guy of Jerusalem against Saladin, Sultan of Egypt and Syria. This pivotal siege formed part of what later became known as the Third Crusade. The siege lasted from August 1189 until July 1191, at which time the city's coastal position meant the attacking Latin forces were unable to fully capture the city and Saladin was unable to fully relieve it, with both sides receiving supplies and resources by sea. It concluded as a key victory for the Crusaders and a serious setback for Saladin's ambition to destroy the Crusader states.