Battle of Moulouya

The Battle of Moulouya took place in 1691 at a ford on the Moulouya river in Morocco. It was fought between the armies of the Alaouite Sultan Ismail Ibn Sharif and those of the dey of Algiers Hajj Chabane. It takes place in the context of an attempt to conquer Tlemcen by the Alaouites.

Battle of Moulouya
Part of Conflicts between the Regency of Algiers and Morocco
Date 1691 Location Moulouya River Result Algerian victory
Belligerents
Regency of Algiers	Cherifian Empire
Commanders and leaders
Hajj Chabane	Ismail Ibn Sharif
Strength
10,000 Janissaries 3,000 Spahis 1 contingent of Igawawen Kabyles	14,000 Infantrymen 8,000 Horses
Casualties and losses
<100 men	5,000 men

Background

Hajj Chabane had just been elected dey by the Taifa of the Raïs.[1] He decided to declare war on the Sultan of Morocco as a result of continued efforts to ravage his territory. As a result of the troubles that have occurred in the country over a period of ten years Chabane had sought to extend his territory towards Tlemcen.[2]

Mouley Ismaïl learned of his arrival to Oujda and attempted to retrace his steps, however the Turkish army reached him at a ford of the Moulouïa which lead to clashed with the Turks of Algiers.[3] These tensions at the Algerian border occurred because Mouley Ismaïl wanted to have his "religious equality" with the Sultan of Istanbul recognized in the eyes of the Europeans. The alliance of France and Turkey intrigued him as he believed it could be an opportunity to counter Spain; or in case of war against the Algerians, an opportunity to bring an agreement between the Sultan of Istanbul and Fez.[3] Mouley Ismaïl even proposed making an alliance with the bey of Tunis.[3]

Battle

The dey marched against Mouley Ismail with 10,000 Janissaries and 3,000 spahis, as well as a contingent of Igawawen Kabyles. The Algerians encountered the enemy, composed of 14,000 infantrymen and 8,000 cavalrymen. Despite the numerical inferiority, they vigorously attacked the Moroccans and killed 5,000 of their men[2][4] while the Algerians suffered casualties of only a hundred.[4]

Léon Galibert gives the following account:

It was to the king of Morocco, who sometimes came to ravage his territory, that the new dey Chaaban declared war: he went to the western border with 10,000 janissaries and 3,000 spahis. There the Algerians met the enemy army, which was 14,000 infantrymen and 8,000 horses; despite the inferiority of their numbers, they attacked the Moroccans vigorously and killed 5,000 men; the Algerians lost only a hundred.

— Léon Galibert

Aftermath

The dey pursued the fugitives to the wall of Fez, which was protected by an army of 24,000 foot soldiers and 20,000 horses. The Sultan of Morocco, Ismail commanded it in person, but was reluctant to engage in combat knowing the earlier victory that the Algerians had spread terror among his soldiers. Despite their numerical superiority they forced him to make peace proposals. The two commanders went to a tent erected between the two camps and a peace agreement was signed. Ismail came to the conference with his hands bound in a sign of submission. Kissing the ground three times, he appealed to the protection of the padichah of Constantinople and then said to the dey: "You are the knife and I am the flesh that you can cut".[4][2]

References

1. Kaddache, Mahfoud. (2003). L'Algérie des Algériens : de la préhistoire à 1954. Paris: Paris-Méditerranée. ISBN 2-84272-166-7. OCLC 401759144.
2. Grammont, H. D. de (1887). Histoire d'Alger sous la domination turque (1515-1830) (in French). E. Leroux.
3. Cour, Auguste (2004-09-10). L'établissement des dynasties des Chérifs au Maroc et leur rivalité avec les Turcs de la Régence d'Alger, 1509-1830 (in French). Editions Bouchène. ISBN 978-2-35676-097-5.
4. Galibert, Léon (1844). L'Algérie: ancienne et moderne depuis les premiers éstablissements des Carthaginois jusqu'à la prise de la Smalah d'Abd-el-Kader (in French). Furne.