Following their allegiance with Menelik, they returned to Tigray, where Bahta Hagos initiated the rebellion against the Italians. Mengesha then led his army against the Italians at the Battle of Coatit, where his force was rebuffed. Another skirmish led by Fitawrari Gebeyehu, the vanguard commander of Menelik forces on the way to Adwa, annihilated the Italians at Amba Alagi. The war culminated in 1896, as Mengesha Yohannes and the forces of Tigray fought at the side of Menelik against the Italians at the pivotal Battle of Adwa. In 1899, Mengesha Yohannes rebelled again against Menelik when he was denied the title of "Negus" of Zion (his descendants would be outraged decades later when "Ras" Mikael of Wollo was crowned with this title by "Lij" Iyasu). Emperor Menelik had "Ras" Mengesha captured and put under house arrest at the old Shewan royal palace at Ankober.