Turgut Reis, an Ottoman Admiral, and the Knights of Malta, had long since been enemies. The island's position near the very centre of the Mediterranean made it a prime target for the Ottoman Empire, and if the Ottomans's could successfully capture Malta it would make it easier for them to take control of other surrounding European countries.
In 1551, Turgut and Sinan Pasha, another Ottoman Admiral, invaded Malta for the first time. But the invasion proved unsuccessful and they instead transferred to the nearby island of Gozo.
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