On the 26th August the early autumn rains arrived and the Northerly Tramontana wind started blowing. Winter was fast approaching. At that time there was a different calendar than the one we have today; on the calendar in use in 1565, the 26th of August was equivalent to the 5th September.

Storms and rough seas would make it more difficult for the Turks to retreat.

In the beginning of September, Mustapha Pasha decided to attack Mdina thinking it was weaker than the harbour towns. However, the Turkish army after three months of attacks had been drastically weakened and on the 7th of September, the Great Relief Force consisting of 10,000 men arrived from Sicily and landed in Mellieha.

The Turkish sea commander feared that his fleet would be blockaded and the siege was lifted on the 8th of September. The retreating Turks were attacked by the reinforcement troops and on the 11th of September they left the islands.