by june egypt was in the hands of nationalists opposed to european domination of the country. a british naval bombardment of alexandria had little effect on the opposition which led to the landing of a british expeditionary force at both ends of the suez canal in august 1882. the british succeeded in defeating the egyptian army at tel el kebir in september and took control of the country putting tewfiq back in control. the purpose of the invasion had been to restore political stability to egypt under a government of the khedive and international controls which were in place to streamline egyptian financing since 1876.