Battle of Taza (1553)

The Battle of Taza occurred in December 1553, it was a battle between the Regency of Algiers and the Saadi Sultanate.[5] Salah Reis left 1,500 men in charge of the victorious operation against the Moroccan camp near Taza, which was protected by a Moroccan army composed of 30,000 cavalry, 10,000 infantry and 20 cannons.[5]

Battle of Taza
Part of Conflicts between the Regency of Algiers and Morocco
Date December 1553 Location Taza Result Algerian victory[1][2][3][4]
Belligerents
Regency of Algiers	Saadi Sultanate
Commanders and leaders
Salah Rais	Mohammed al-Shaykh
Strength
1,500 men[5]	30,000 cavalry 10,000 infantry 20 cannons
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

The Wattasid Abou Hassan had sought intervention against the Sharif in Fez.[2] In 1553 Salah Reis departed with 600 musketeers, 1,000 spahis and 4,000 horsemen from the Kingdom of Kuku.[6] Salah Reis set out with his army in September and brought the Wattasid sovereign with him.[5] When Salah Reis stopped at Tlemcen Mohammed al-Shaykh set up his headquarters at Taza with 30,000 cavalry, 10,000 infantry and 20 cannons.[5]

Salah Reis crossed the border and arrived in sight of the Moroccan camp in December.[5] Salah Reis conducted a night attack against the Moroccan camp.[5] The 1,500 men in charge of the operation performed perfectly as the attacking column routed the Arabs who were scared of the detonations.[5] Salah Reis was able to defeat the Moroccans in the first confrontation at Taza.[5][1][2]

The Sharif retreated to a height behind Taza and then retired to Fez in mid December.[5] Salah Reis received a reinforcement of 600 men from the Wattasid sovereign and went with all of his forces to Oued Sebou, 6 kilometres from Fez.[5] Another battle against the Moroccans took place at Qudyat-al-Mahali in the suburbs of Fez in January and Salah Reis was victorious.[1]