On 15 December 1894, Bahta Hagos, the "chief of Akkele Guzay province in southern Eritrea," launched a rebellion against the Italian authorities.

[1] On 18 December a force of Italian troops, led by Major Pietro Toselli, discovered that the small Italian fort at Halai (garrisoned by 220 men) was being besieged by roughly 220, of Bahta's, rebels.

Toselli attacked with 1,500 men, hitting the surprised rebels in their undefended rear.

Bahta was killed in the ensuing fight and his army quickly fell apart soon after.

In total, eleven Italians were killed and twenty-two were wounded in the action.