 Abbas captured several fortresses, including Cefalù in 857, the population of which was allowed safe departure before the fortress was razed.Gagliano was also besieged, but not taken.In summer 858, the two sides were engaged in naval combat, probably off Apulia; Abbas' brother Ali managed to defeat the Byzantine fleet of 40 ships in the first engagement, but was in turn defeated and forced to flee in the second.