The capital of western Algeria, Oran, has witnessed significant historical events and has been the stage for many pivotal occurrences.
The struggle for freedom, sovereignty, and independence passed through here in both organized and unorganized popular forms. Around this time in 1507, the Battle of Mers El-Kebir took place in the plain extending north of Lake Oran, ending in a great victory for the Muslims against the Spanish army.
517 years have passed since the heroic Battle of Mers El-Kebir, which occurred on June 6, 1507. Researchers and interested parties still consider it “one of the most prominent Algerian events influencing collective awareness, enhancing values of unity and cohesion in the face of occupation, greed, and conspiracies, defending the sovereignty and unity of their land,” according to Khadija Ben Cherif, head of the provincial office of the National Organization for the Protection of Cultural Heritage and Tourism Development.
A Witness to Heroism
Ben Cherif stated to “Al-Shaab”: “The historical events of Oran through the ages are numerous and important, but I can almost assert that both the ancient and current native residents are unaware of most of them. They do not know their geography, timing, backgrounds, and significance. Perhaps the remembrance helps increase the connection to the stories of the place, the glorious past, and the heroic and immortal battles that left their mark on Algerian history, to be a source of inspiration and motivation for future generations.”
The speaker considered that the Battle of Mers El-Kebir represented a decisive turning point in the long historical path of the occupation and liberation of Oran. Therefore, the provincial office of the National Organization for the Protection of Cultural Heritage and Tourism Development decided to organize a celebratory event on June 6, in coordination and cooperation with the municipalities of Mers El-Kebir and Oran. This is part of the office’s plan to introduce this important historical event of Oran, which carries many implications and meanings that we should reflect upon, through a symposium and a visit to the battle site, specifically the upper cliff in the area known as “Koka,” currently part of the municipality of Oran.
Ben Cherif mentioned that “the responsibility of teaching the true and correct history of Algeria to the emerging generations is a task for everyone, both the authorities and the people, to protect against attempts of forgery, distortion, and preserving the nation’s constants, enhancing its identity elements and the sense of belonging to the homeland.”
Mers El-Kebir… Embodied the Finest Images of Cohesion
On his part, Berkan Karachai Haroun, an accredited tour guide at the local tourism office in Oran and the provincial secretary for cultural heritage protection at the provincial office of the National Organization for the Protection of Cultural Heritage and Tourism Development in Oran, confirmed that “the Battle of Mers El-Kebir is one of the most important battles in the struggle and history of the region, as it embodied the finest images of cohesion and enormous sacrifices in the Algerian-Spanish war that lasted for three consecutive centuries until the liberation of Oran in 1792.”
Berkan Karachai took us on a journey through time, recalling pages from the history of ancestors and their fierce struggle against the Spanish invasion, which managed to capture the port of Mers El-Kebir in 1505. The Spanish army did not engage in a decisive battle with the Muslims, remaining confined within the walls of the Mers El-Kebir fortress for two years.
Thus, commander “Don Diego” wanted to test his forces’ capabilities in a decisive battle instead of fighting behind fortress walls. He was confident of victory and planned to return to Mers El-Kebir with spoils, money, and captives for labor and other purposes. However, the spoils were not the primary goal of this campaign but rather to test the strength of the Muslims and their readiness, as well as to explore the routes leading to Tlemcen.
The same source explained that “commander ‘Don Diego’ prepared for the battle or a surprise invasion, using men from the ‘Geza’ tribe, who lived in Mers El-Kebir, as guides, guards, and mercenaries. The Spanish army headed towards Mers El-Kebir through its valleys and mountain trails to ensure the safety of the army back and forth.
Since the easy road connecting Mers El-Kebir with Mers El-Kebir necessitated passing through the Islamic city of Oran, this road was not suitable for a surprise raid. Additionally, the Islamic army stationed in Oran would turn them back. All these factors led the Spanish to take the valley and mountain paths, especially since the campaign was led by mercenaries from the Geza tribe, who were familiar with the region and its rugged paths.
Few Volunteers Changed the Balance of Power
On June 6, 1507, the military commander left Mers El-Kebir at nine o’clock at night with a large army, making no noise during their march. At dawn, they surrounded “Duar Al-Arabi” from all directions and attacked it, leaving the Arabs in shock from the strong and sudden attack. However, they quickly recovered and resisted fiercely, as acknowledged by the “Frankish” historians.
Despite this, it did not benefit them due to the large number of Spaniards and their initial attack. All those capable of bearing arms were killed, and the survivors, women, and children were enslaved, along with gathering spoils. Then, the Spanish army decided to return to Mers El-Kebir, ending the battle with a Muslim defeat.
Berkan Karachai continued explaining that “this fierce battle did not end there. The nearby and surrounding villages were informed of what had happened to their ‘Western’ brothers through those who managed to escape and sought help. They responded to the call for jihad, igniting a spirit of zeal to save their captive brothers. Volunteers from farmers and other areas joined the Spanish convoy and fought intense skirmishes with the occupying soldiers. Their loud cries disrupted the enemy soldiers, making it difficult for them to use their weapons. They could not even see their enemies because of the thick fog that enveloped the area, as recorded by European historians.”
The tour guide then moved to the third stage of the battle, describing it as follows: “When the news of the fierce battle in Mers El-Kebir reached Oran, a garrison was sent to aid the fighters. Upon arriving at the battlefield, the shouts of ‘Allahu Akbar’ (God is Great) and ‘There is no god but Allah’ boosted morale, increasing their fervor for combat, and they attacked the Spaniards.
They recovered all the spoils and freed the captives, both men and women, nearly killing all the Spanish soldiers. However, one Andalusian who had submitted to Spain called out to the Muslims in Arabic: ‘Capture them and do not kill them, as you will earn a lot of money when their people send you their ransom.’ They agreed and took them prisoner, as indicated.
According to the same source, three thousand Spanish soldiers were killed, and one officer retreated to inform the commander of the defeat. The commander only thought of returning to Mers El-Kebir, which required opening the way. He advanced with a few soldiers, narrowly escaping death, protected by some of his troops who sacrificed themselves. One of them gave his horse to the commander to flee the battlefield. The commander hid with five soldiers in the mountain paths, while the Arabs searched for them until dawn but did not find them. They managed to escape to Mers El-Kebir.
Defeats continued, this time upon the Spaniards’ return to Mers El-Kebir. The commander fell victim to his strict instructions and orders not to open the fort’s doors under any circumstances before sunrise. The guards refused to open the doors, leaving the commander and his remaining soldiers exposed until sunrise. He entered the fort defeated and humiliated.
The fighters tried to capitalize on the victory by reclaiming Mers El-Kebir, but the Spanish cannons repelled them. Spain sent five hundred well-trained fighters to Mers El-Kebir, causing the Oran garrison to fail in liberating the port. They returned to Oran, waiting for the campaign led by Cardinal Ximenes against the city.
In conclusion, Berkan Karachai Haroun, one of the prominent youth interested in history and ancient landmarks, emphasized the necessity of teaching the youth about their nation’s history, with its various turns and events, to inspire and motivate future generations.
He said: “Fortunately, significant relics of Oran’s rich history and symbolic significance still stand today. Our main concern now is preserving the artifacts and everything from the ancient eras that succeeded in the region, ensuring that history is accurately and credibly passed on to future generations.”
Translated from : The Battle of Mers El-Kebir… A Pivotal Moment in Oran’s History – Memory (echaab.dz)
