Fall of Tlemcen (1517)
Encyclopedia
The Fall of Tlemcen occurred in 1517, when the Ottoman corsair Uruj Barbarossa captured the city of Tlemcen
from its Sultan, Abu Zayan, the last member of the Beni-Zian lineage.
The fall of Tlemcen followed the capture of Tenes
, also by Uruj and his brother. The Sultan of Tlemcen then fled to Fez
in Morocco. Uruj crowned himself king of Tlemcen. The only survivor of Abu Zayan's dynasty was Sheikh Buhammud, who escaped to Oran and called for Spain's assistance.
This victory put Uruj in control of the backcountry behind the Spanish base of Oran
, which greatly threatened their usual supply routes. This victory put Uruj in control of a considerable territory, the size of colonial French Algeria
.
The Spanish however soon reacted in 1518 by launching an attack on Tlemcen, which was 70 miles away from Oran, and managed to corner and kill Uruj. They took possession of the region of Tlemcen.
Soon however, the Kingdom of Fez
raised a considerable army and marched on Tlemcen, expelling the Spanish.
The Ottoman would again exert direct influence in Tlemcen from 1545. That year, the Wattassid ruler of northern Morocco Sultan Ahmad
was taken prisonner by his southern rivals the sharifian Sadiyans. His successor, Ali Abu Hassun
, regent for Ahmad's young son Nasir al-Qasiri, decided to pledge allegiance to the Ottomans in order to obtain their support.
Tlemcen
Tlemcen is a town in Northwestern Algeria, and the capital of the province of the same name. It is located inland in the center of a region known for its olive plantations and vineyards...
from its Sultan, Abu Zayan, the last member of the Beni-Zian lineage.
The fall of Tlemcen followed the capture of Tenes
Tenes
In Greek mythology, Tenes was the eponymous hero of the island of Tenedos. He was the son either of Apollo or of King Cycnus of Colonae by Proclia, daughter or granddaughter of Laomedon. Cycnus' second wife Philonome, daughter of Tragasus or Cragasus, falsely accused Tenes of rape, bringing in a...
, also by Uruj and his brother. The Sultan of Tlemcen then fled to Fez
Fes
Fes or Fez is the second largest city of Morocco, after Casablanca, with a population of approximately 1 million . It is the capital of the Fès-Boulemane region....
in Morocco. Uruj crowned himself king of Tlemcen. The only survivor of Abu Zayan's dynasty was Sheikh Buhammud, who escaped to Oran and called for Spain's assistance.
This victory put Uruj in control of the backcountry behind the Spanish base of Oran
Oran
Oran is a major city on the northwestern Mediterranean coast of Algeria, and the second largest city of the country.It is the capital of the Oran Province . The city has a population of 759,645 , while the metropolitan area has a population of approximately 1,500,000, making it the second largest...
, which greatly threatened their usual supply routes. This victory put Uruj in control of a considerable territory, the size of colonial French Algeria
French Algeria
French Algeria lasted from 1830 to 1962, under a variety of governmental systems. From 1848 until independence, the whole Mediterranean region of Algeria was administered as an integral part of France, much like Corsica and Réunion are to this day. The vast arid interior of Algeria, like the rest...
.
The Spanish however soon reacted in 1518 by launching an attack on Tlemcen, which was 70 miles away from Oran, and managed to corner and kill Uruj. They took possession of the region of Tlemcen.
Soon however, the Kingdom of Fez
Kingdom of Fez
The Kingdom of Fez or Wattasid sultanate was the name given to the northern part of Morocco between 1472 and 1554 with its capital at Fez.The Wattasid are a branch of the Zenete, a Berber clan whose origins lie in what is now modern day Libya....
raised a considerable army and marched on Tlemcen, expelling the Spanish.
The Ottoman would again exert direct influence in Tlemcen from 1545. That year, the Wattassid ruler of northern Morocco Sultan Ahmad
Abu al-Abbas Ahmad ibn Muhammad
Abu al-Abbas Ahmad ibn Muhammad, also Sultan Ahmad, was a Sultan of the Moroccan Wattasid dynasty. He ruled from 1526 to 1545, and again between 1547 and 1549....
was taken prisonner by his southern rivals the sharifian Sadiyans. His successor, Ali Abu Hassun
Ali Abu Hassun
Ali Abu Hassun, also Abu al Hasan Abu Hasun or Abu Hasun, full name Abu al-Hasan Abu Hasun Ali ibn Muhammad, was a Regent of the Crown of Morocco for the Wattasid dynasty, during the 16th century....
, regent for Ahmad's young son Nasir al-Qasiri, decided to pledge allegiance to the Ottomans in order to obtain their support.