Battle of Mers-el-Kébir
Date1497
Location
Oran, Algeria
Result Zayyanid victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of Tlemcen Crown of Castile Kingdom of Spain
Commanders and leaders
Abu Abdallah IV Crown of Castile Juan Alonso Perez De Guzman
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

The Battle of Mers el-Kébir in 1497 is a conflict in which the Spanish Empire wanted to assert control over Oran and Mers el-Kébir, under the rule of Abu Abdallah IV, the Zayyanid Sultan of Tlemcen.

Background

After the capture of Granada in 1492, a considerable number of Andalusian Moors settle in Oran, gaining notoriety for their acts of banditry committed against all vessels flying a Christian flag. The pirates of Oran plunder the entire western Mediterranean region, especially the entrance of the Strait of Gibraltar. They defy naval patrols and audaciously seize galleons from the Indies, even under the fire of Spanish batteries, constantly conducting armed raids on the coasts of Andalusia.[1]

Battle

King Ferdinand decides that several points along the African coast should be occupied. He dispatches the Duke of Medina-Sidonia in 1497 with ample forces to seize Oran and Mers el-Kébir, but the assault is swiftly repelled.[2][3][4]

Aftermath

After the battle, Ferdinand conquered Melilla a few days later, following the engagement in Oran. He proceeded to capture strategic points in North Africa, and in 1505, he attempted again to seize Mers el-Kébir, successfully accomplishing it. Subsequently, he continued his conquest, capturing Peñón de Vélez in 1507, Oran in 1509, and Algiers, Bougie, and Tunis in 1510.[5][6][7][8][9]

References

  1. ↑ Feÿ, Henry-Léon (1858). Histoire d'Oran avant, pendant et après la domination Espagnole (in French). Adolphe Perrier.
  2. ↑ Africanus, Leo (2010-06-03). The History and Description of Africa: And of the Notable Things Therein Contained. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-108-01289-8.
  3. ↑ Benaboura, Mohamed (2005). O.A.S.: Oran dans la tourmente 1961/1962 (in French). Editions dar el Gharb. ISBN 978-9961-54-610-9.
  4. ↑ Courtin, Eustache Marie P. M. A. (1860). Encyclopédie moderne [by E.M.P.M.A.Courtin]. [With] Atlas. Compl., publ. sous la direction de N. des Vergers [and others]. [With] Planches (in French).
  5. ↑ Meyerson, Mark D. (2023-11-15). The Muslims of Valencia in the Age of Fernando and Isabel: Between Coexistence and Crusade. Univ of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-33495-3.
  6. ↑ Lane, Kris E. (1999). Blood and Silver: A History of Piracy in the Caribbean and Central America. Signal Books. ISBN 978-1-902669-01-4.
  7. ↑ Lane, Kris E.; Levine, Robert M. (2015-03-04). Pillaging the Empire: Piracy in the Americas, 1500-1750. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-46280-4.
  8. ↑ Garcés, María Antonia (2002). Cervantes in Algiers: A Captive's Tale. Vanderbilt University Press. ISBN 978-0-8265-1470-7.
  9. ↑ Morris, T. A. (2002-09-11). Europe and England in the Sixteenth Century. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-134-74819-8.
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