The commander of the Ottoman army at Elassona (Turkish: Alasonya) was Edhem Pasha (later gained the title Gazi) .

According to a contemporary source following initial victories, Ethem Pasha had some of his troops in Velestino (which was the theatre of a battle) and most in Pharsala.

The new Greek prime minister Dimitrios Rallis was anxious to accept the mediation which the Great Powers were willing to undertake.

[3] Failing to reach a compromise, Edhem Pasha marched from Phasla to the town of Domokos (Dömeke) on 17 May 1897.

[4]: 188 The Turkish left wing under Hamdi and Memduh advanced slowly, hampered by the difficult ground and the resistance put up by the Greek troops under Colonel Mastrapas.

But the Ottoman grand vizier Halil Rifat Pasha was planning to capture Athens (to be used a bargaining chip in the future negotiations).