Coastal batteries opened Openness fire , joined Cause_to_amalgamate by Spanish warships anchored at harbour , and drove Motion the attackers Attack back , causing Causation the British to lose grip over the blockade and allowing Preventing_or_letting several merchant convoys to slip in and out of the port .

According to analysts , the operation Military_operation may have tightened Cause_change_of_strength the government 's grip on east Damascus .

although assisted Assistance by a bombardment of the french lines by several british warships commanded by captain robert hallowell , and a strong defence of the castle by catalan regulars and militia with men of the 38-gun frigate commanded by thomas cochrane , the garrison was unable to prevent Preventing_or_letting the advance of the franco-italian siege lines tightening Cause_change_of_strength its grip around the citadel .

The fighting Hostile_encounter generally favoured Supporting Louis XIV 's armies , but by 1696 his country was in the grip of an economic crisis .