Battle of Heliopolis

French victory on 20 March 1800 at Heliopolis (Egypt): Kléber, leading about 15,000 men, repulsed a large Ottoman army through an enveloping manoeuvre in squares. The battle prolonged French occupation of the Nile delta, despite the British naval blockade and the Cairo insurrection.

On 20 March 1800 near Cairo, General Kléber commanded the Army of the Orient against the Ottoman army of Grand Vizier Yusuf Pasha and Nassif Pasha. After Bonaparte's departure, Kléber had negotiated the Convention of El Arish (January 1800) to evacuate Egypt, but the British did not ratify it and hostilities resumed while Cairo's population rose in revolt.

On the night of 19-20 March, Kléber left Cairo and formed his army in four squares (Friant's and Reynier's divisions, Leclerc's cavalry). Friant's division turned Ottoman positions east of Heliopolis to cut Nassif Pasha's retreat. Turkish cavalry charges against the squares were repulsed by infantry and field artillery fire.

French losses were about 600 killed and wounded; the Ottomans lost 8,000 to 9,000 killed, wounded or prisoners. The Grand Vizier evacuated Egypt. Mourad Bey separated from the Ottoman army and signed a treaty with the French on 5 April. Kléber only regained full control of Cairo on 18 April after hard fighting against the insurrection.