On 15 December 1894,
Bahta Hagos, the "chief of Akkele Guzay province in southern Eritrea," launched a rebellion against the Italian authorities. On 18 December a force of Italian troops, led by Major Pietro Toselli, discovered that the small Italian fort at
Halai (garrisoned by 220 men) was being besieged by roughly 220, of Bahta's, rebels. Toselli attacked with 1,500 men, hitting the surprised rebels in their undefended rear. The surprise attack was just at the right time since the rebels had almost taken the fort. At first, Bahta Hagos tried to negotiate with the Italians, however the negotiations lasted only up to 4:00pm, when another 1,000 Italian reinforcements arrived. Bahta was killed in the ensuing fight and his army quickly fell apart soon after. ==Aftermath==