Scutari Invasion of Montenegro

The Scutari invasion of Montenegro (1785) was a conflict led by Kara Mahmud Pasha of Scutari. He attacked Montenegrin tribes, including Old Montenegro and Brda. His forces caused significant damage, capturing key areas like Spuž. The Montenegrins suffered heavy losses and were forced to surrender. The event is part of the larger history of conflicts between the Ottoman Empire and Balkan tribes.

Scutari invasion of Montenegro (1785) Pushtimi i Shkodrës në Mal të Zi
Map of Montenegro and the surrounding region in 1780
Date February–June 1785 Location Old Montenegro, Podgorica and Brda (modern-day Montenegro) Result Pashalik of Scutari victory
Belligerents
Pashalik of Scutari	Montenegro Republic of Venice Bosnia Eyalet Pashalik of Spuž
Commanders and leaders
Kara Mahmud Pasha	Petar I Petrović Njegoš Jovan Radonjić Rade Andrović  † Ibrahim Pasha of Spuž
Units involved
Gheg Muslims from: Shkodër Tivari Malësia Kosovo Tirana Kavaja Gruda Krasniqi Montenegrin allies from Nikšići	Montenegrin rebels from: Old Montenegro Paštrovići Brda
Strength
30,000–45,000 men	8,000 men
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

Conflict

Capture of Spuž

In February 1785, Kara Mahmud Pasha attacked Spuž, held by Ibrahim Pasha. After minor battles, Ibrahim fled, leaving Kara Mahmud to capture Podgorica and secure alliances with Bosniak leaders. By April, preparations began for the invasion of Old Montenegro.

Campaign in Old Montenegro

The campaign started on June 18, with heavy fighting in several regions. Kara Mahmud devastated Montenegrin tribes and burned Cetinje, forcing surrender and tribute.

Paštrovići Campaign

Kara Mahmud pillaged Paštrovići after a failed assassination attempt, destroying homes and monasteries before returning to Shkodra by sea.

Sources

• Gjeli, Ardit (2018), Between Rebellion and Obedience: The Rise and Fall of Bushatli Mahmud Pasha of Shkodra (1752-1796) (PDF), İstanbul Şehir University, archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-03-01, retrieved 2023-10-30. PDF
• Jazexhi, Olsi (2018), Kara Mmahmud Pashë Bushati, Bualli i Shkodrës (1776–1796 ER/1190–1211 AH) (PDF), Dielli, archived (PDF) from the original on 2018-08-19, retrieved 2023-10-31
• Stamatović, Aleksandar (2022), The Politics of Kara Mahmud Pasha Bushati Towards Montenegro in the 1780s (PDF), Journal of Ottoman Legacy Studies, University of East Sarajevo: Pale, Republic of Srpska, retrieved 2023-11-05