The Battle of Abu Klea, or the Battle of Abu Tulayh took place between 16 and 18 January 1885, at Abu Klea, Sudan, between the British Desert Column and Mahdist forces encamped near Abu Klea. The Desert Column, a force of approximately 1,400 soldiers, started from Korti, Sudan on 30 December 1884; the Desert Column's mission, in a joint effort titled "The Gordon Relief Expedition", was to march across the Bayuda Desert to the aid of General Charles George Gordon at Khartoum, Sudan, who was besieged there by Mahdist forces. 00:00 The Sundanese rebellion 01:04 The British response 01:54 The British desert column 02:47 The British camp 03:12 The Square formation 03:45 The Mahdist army 04:06 British artillery opens fire 04:34 The Battle begins 05:49 The Mahdists reach the square 06:58 The Mahdist army breaks 07:37 Casualties 08:02 The following day 09:27 The British withdraw from Sudan