Caída de Tlemcen (1517)

The fall of Tlemcen occurred in 1517, when the Ottoman privateer Aruch Barbarroja captured the city of Tlemcen from his sultan Abu Zayan, the last member of the Banu Zayan dynasty.

The fall of Tlemcen followed the capture of Ténès, also by Aruj and his brother, Jeireddín. The Sultan of Tlemcen then fled to Fez in Morocco. Aruj was crowned king of Tlemcen. The only survivor of the Abu Zayan dynasty was Sheikh Buhammud, who escaped to Oran and sought help from Spain.

This victory put Aruj in control of the crossing behind the Spanish base of Oran, which greatly threatened their usual supply routes.

The Spaniards, however, soon reacted in 1518 with the launch of an attack on Tlemcen, which was 70 miles away from Oran, and managed to corralar and kill Aruj. Taking possession of the Tlemcen region.

Soon, however, the king of Morocco raised a considerable army and marched to Tlemcen, expelling the Spaniards. The Ottomans again had a direct influence in Tlemcen from 1545. That year, the ruler Wattasasida of Morocco Ahmad was taken prisoner by his rivals, Sharifian Saadians. His successor, Ali Abu Hassun, regent for the young son of Ahmad Nasir al-Qasiri, decided to swear allegiance to the Ottomans in order to gain their support.

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