[2] He replaced his longtime rival, Jazzar Pasha who ruled Damascus from his stronghold in Acre, then capital of Sidon Eyalet.
Abdullah Pasha had led the annual Hajj caravan to the Islamic holy city, but received what was considered a humiliating reception by the Wahhabi occupiers.
Meanwhile, another ally of Jazzar and the mutasallim (tax collector/enforcer) of Homs, Abdullah Agha al-Mahmud, laid siege to the Azm stronghold of Hama.
[8] In Damascus, the mufti al-Muradi, previously appointed by Abdullah Pasha, was imprisoned by Muhammad Aqil and died in his cell.
[7] From Hama, Abdullah Pasha led his troops towards Damascus and upon his army's arrival, the residents of the outskirts withdrew into the inner city out of fear.
Abdullah Pasha apparently failed to pay his troops, who were in any case hesitant to confront the imperial garrison of Damascus.
[11] Abdullah Pasha had refused to adhere to the Wahhabis' demand that the security of the caravan enter the Islamic edifices unarmed and without the mahmal, a ceremonial decorated camel-borne litter.
[16] One of his sons, Hafiz Bey, served as a mutasallim of Damascus when the Egyptian forces of Muhammad Ali conquered the Levant.