Editing Selim II (section)

=== Campaigns in the Mediterranean ===
[[File:Laureys a Castro - The Battle of Lepanto.jpeg|thumb|''The Battle of Lepanto'', [[Laureys a Castro]]]]
During his reign, naval campaigns unfolded in the Mediterranean.{{sfn | A’goston | Masters | 2010 | p=513}} In 1571, the Ottomans [[Siege of Famagusta|seized Cyprus]] from the Venetians,<ref>{{Cite book|last=Kia|first=Mehrdad|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/971893268|title=The Ottoman Empire : a historical encyclopedia|year=2017|isbn=978-1-61069-389-9|location=Santa Barbara, California|publisher=ABC-CLIO|pages=39|oclc=971893268}}</ref> transforming it into a new province alongside neighboring regions in mainland Anatolia. Initially, the island's harsh climate deterred migration, but under state pressure, a considerable number of Turkish settlers eventually established themselves. In the same year, the Holy League, comprising papal, Venetian, and Spanish fleets, retaliated for the capture of Cyprus in the decisive [[Battle of Lepanto (1571)|Battle of Lepanto]], a significant Christian stronghold. The Ottoman navy suffered a devastating defeat, leading to a year-long reconstruction effort, yet the loss of skilled naval personnel continued to impact the state throughout Selim's reign. Despite this setback, the recovery of the [[Conquest of Tunis (1574)|fortress of Tunis]] from Spain in 1574, shortly before Selim's death, marked a notable naval success.{{sfn | A’goston | Masters | 2010 | pp=513–514}}