Capture of Fez (1576)

The Capture of Fez occurred in 1576 at the Moroccan city of Fez, when an Ottoman Empire force from Algiers supported Abd al-Malek in gaining the throne of Morocco against his nephew and rival claimant Mulay Muhammed.[1][2] About 10,000 Ottoman soldiers participated in the campaign.

Capture of Fez
Date March 1576 Location Fez, Morocco 34.3°N 4.9°W / 34.3; -4.9 Result Saadi victory.
Belligerents
Kingdom of Morocco (Saadian dynasty, acting Sultan Mulay Muhammed)	Kingdom of Morocco (Saadian dynasty, pretendent to the throne Abd al-Malek)  Ottoman Empire
Commanders and leaders
Mulay Muhammed	Abd al-Malek
Strength
About 30,000 soldiers	6,000 Ottoman Janissary gunners 1,000 Zouaouas infantrymen 800 spahis 12 cannons 3,000 Moroccan cavalrymen
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown
Capture of Fez Location of capture of Fez in Morocco.

Abd al-Malek won over his rival at the battle of ar-Rukn, also er-Roken.[1] Mulay Muhammed fled to Marrakesh and would continue resisting Abd al-Malek for a long time.[2]

Abd al-Malek entered Fez victoriously in March 1576.[2]

Abd al-Malek recognized the Ottoman sultan Murad III as Caliph, and reorganized his army along Ottoman lines and adopted Ottoman customs, but negotiated for the Ottoman troops to leave his country in exchange for a large payment in gold.[2]

Meanwhile, Mulay Muhammed fled to Spain and then Portugal, when Sebastian of Portugal promised to help him regain his throne. This led to an expedition and the Battle of Ksar El Kebir in 1578,also known as the Battle of Three Kings which was a considerable defeat for the Portuguese and having lost their childless monarch Portugal passed into the hands of Spanish throne. Abdel Malik was probably poisoned and it was Abdel Malik's younger brother Ahmad Al-Mansour who assumed control of the Saadian state of Morocco.[2]

These events left the Ottomans in a very strong position in the Maghreb, posing a direct threat to the Spanish heartland.[3]