Cezzar Ahmet Pasha

Cezzar Ahmet Pasha (1708-1804), born in Stolac in Bosnia and Herzegovina, also identified in transliterations from Arabic as Djezzar Pasha, was an Ottoman governor who defended Acre successfully when Napoleon Bonaparte besieged it during his campaign in Syria. Djezzar, which translates as Butcher, was known for his brutal techniques when handling enemies.

After the capture of Egypt (which was then an Ottoman territory) in 1798 by Bonaparte, the French army attempted to invade Syria. Although the French successfully captured El Arish and Jaffa, and won every battle they fought against the Ottomans on an open field, they were unable to breach the fortifications of Acre. Their army was weakened by disease and cut off from resupply. Bonaparte, whose fleet had been destroyed by Nelson at the Battle of the Nile, was forced to return with his army to Cairo.

Ahmet died in 1804 of an unknown disease.