The siege of Malacca (3 August 1640 – 14 January 1641) was a siege initiated by the Dutch East India Company and their local allies of Johor against Portugal's colony at Malacca. It ended in a Portuguese surrender and, according to Portugal, the deaths of thousands of Portuguese individuals. The roots of the conflict began in the late 16th century, when the Dutch arrived in the vicinity of Malacca. From there, they began occasional attacks against the Portuguese colony, including multiple failed sieges. In August of 1640, the Dutch began their last siege, which took a heavy toll on both sides, with disease and starvation rampant. Finally, after the loss of a few major commanders and numerous troops, the Dutch stormed the citadel, completely ending Portugal's control of the city. Ultimately, however, the new colony was of little importance to the Dutch compared to their previously existing local territory, Batavia.