Siege of Melilla (1774–1775)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The siege of Melilla was an attempt by the Sultanate of Morocco, supported by Great Britain and Algerian mercenaries,[2] to capture the Spanish fortress of Melilla on the Moroccan Mediterranean coast. Mohammed ben Abdallah, then Sultan of Morocco, invaded Melilla in December 1774 with a large army of Royal Moroccan soldiers and Algerian mercenaries. The city was defended by a small garrison under Irish-born Governor Don Juan Sherlocke until the siege was lifted by a relief fleet in March 1775.
Quick Facts Date, Location ...
Siege of Melilla | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Part of the Spanish-Moroccan conflicts and Spanish-Barbary Wars | |||||||
The Plaza of Melilla during the siege. | |||||||
| |||||||
Belligerents | |||||||
Kingdom of Spain |
Sultanate of Morocco Supported by: Great Britain | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Juan Sherlocke Florencio Moreno |
Mohammed III Tahar Fenis | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
5,000[1] | 30,000–40,000[1] | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
600 killed or wounded[1] | Unknown |
Close