Siege of Saati
[1] Inevitably, Italian interests clashed with those of the neighboring Ethiopian Empire which for some time had aimed at an outlet on the Red Sea.In fact, the town of Saati, 28 km from Massawa, was occupied by two companies commanded by Major Giovanni Boretti supported by 300 Bashi-bazouk, only on January 14 1887.[2] At dawn on January 25, a patrol led by Lieutenant Federico Cuomo, from Messina, was sent on reconnaissance towards the Ethiopian camp, but were surprised attacked and the Italians were forced to take refuge in the fort after a violent firefight.From Moncullo on the morning of January 26 the column led by Lieutenant Colonel Tommaso De Cristoforis left to rescue Boretti and was attacked and destroyed by the troops of Ras Alula near Dogali.Given the desperate situation, Major Boretti had no choice but to abandon the fort of Saati, which he did on the evening of January 27, arriving in Moncullo at dawn the following day, without being sighted by the enemy troops.