Capture of Algiers (1516)

In 1510, the Spaniards had established themselves on a small island in front of Algiers, and forced the local ruler Sālim al-Tūmī (Selim-bin-Teumi) to accept their presence through a treaty and pay tribute.[11][12] Fortifications were built on the islet, and a garrison of 200 men was established.[12] Sālim al-Tūmī had to go to Spain to take an oath of obedience to Ferdinand of Aragon.[12]

In 1516, the Emir of Algiers, Sālim Al-Tūmī, invited the corsair brothers Oruç and Hayreddin to expel the Spaniards. Oruç, with the help of local troops,[11] came to Algiers with his ally Ahmad al-Kadi of the Kingdom of Kuku and an army composed of 800 Turks and 5,000 Kabyle auxiliaries.[13][14] The Moors have done a huge triumph to Oruç,[15] but after failing to take the Peñón of Algiers from the Spanish, he ordered the assassination of Sālim, because Salim was conspiring with the Spaniards against the pirates and Oruç.[16]

Sālim Al-Tūmī, the former possessor of Algiers, whom Oruç had strangled, had a son who had managed to escape the massacre of his family and to take refuge in Spain. Charles V reigned there then. So he welcomed the son of Al-Tūmī with favour, since the Spanish, along with the Sheikh of Ténès, wanted to drive out Oruç Barbarossa, who took power in Algiers, and replace him with the son of the previous prince.

The Spanish expedition included 10,000 or 15,000 men along with 10,000 Moors from Ténès.

Barbarossa's forces included only 1,500 men.[17][18] It was composed of:[19]

• The Turkish companions of Oruç in the vanguard, and they were very few, leading the teams
• The immigrants of Andalusia, called “Fauquefels” by the King of Spain PhilipII, according to what the latter narrated: "There are 15,000 people in the city of Algiers who are good at using firearms, including ten thousand Arab men who were displaced from Spain. In recent years, they are among the best soldiers"
• The inhabitants of the city, whom the Spaniards believed will be their assistants in the expedition.

Battle plans

Oruç's plan was the following:[19]

1. Allowing the enemy to descend, without much resistance, on land.
2. Leaving most of the muslim forces within the forts and walls of the city, in order to use them when needed.
3. Engaging with the enemy in battles similar to ambush warfare, around the city, until he becomes exhausted, and then the leadership would bring most of its striking power to the field.

Spanish footman with a spear (16th century)

As for the Spanish plan, it required:

1. to go down to the coast and set up a camp that includes men and equipment.
2. Climbing the heights surrounding Algeria, including the walls, and occupying the Kasbah Heights, overlooking the city from it, and bombarding it with cannons.
3. Waiting for the army coming from the “Sultan” of Tennis, and attacking the city violently, while the agents inside planned the plot with which they would strike the muslim army from behind.

The Spaniards suffered casualties of 3,000 killed or wounded and 400 captured.[22] In total 8,000 men were lost,[23] and the Algerian forces had few casualties.[12] This defeat increased Oruç's power in Africa, and in Europe the terror he inspired, yet Hayreddin succeeded Aruj after the latter was killed in battle against the Spaniards at the fall of Tlemcen, as well as inheriting his nickname "Barbarossa". The capture of Algiers in 1516 had been made possible with the support of the Ottoman Sultan Selim I. This support was discontinued with Sultan Selim's death in 1520, causing Barbarossa to lose the city to a local kabyle chieftain in 1524,[12] and to retreat to his fief of Djidjelli.[24]

• Algiers Expedition (1519)