The incident saw Mahdist rebels, led by Muhammad Ahmad, who had proclaimed himself the Mahdi, rout Egyptian troops who had landed on Aba Island.

Arriving on Aba Island on 7 August 1881, Abu Sa'ud requested that Muhammad Ahmad come to Khartoum (the capital of Sudan) to meet with the Governor-General.

[2] Using some merchants as guides, the Egyptian forces reached Muhammad Ahmad's hut and 'Ali Effendi burst into the shelter, shooting the man inside,[2] who turned out to be a guest of the Mahdi.

"[3] The zealous Mahdists, "armed with sticks, stones, hoes, and palm-knives, and a very few with spears and swords" attacked the Egyptians and completely overwhelmed them.

[3] The ground was muddy (it had rained during the Egyptians' march to the village[2]) and this favored the bare-foot Mahdist rebels over the boot-clad government soldiers.