Emir Mansur backed Zahir and Nasif in their alliance with Ali Bey al-Kabir of Egypt. Ali Bey dispatched his commander Abu al-Dhahab to launch an invasion of Damascus in 1770.[1] When Abu al-Dahab suddenly withdrew from Damascus after defeating its governor Uthman Pasha al-Kurji, Emir Mansur's position became vulnerable when Uthman Pasha resumed the governorship.