Capture of Fez (1576)

The Capture of Fez (1576) refers to the military conquest of the city of Fez, Morocco, by the Ottoman Empire in 1576. This event marked a temporary extension of Ottoman influence into North Africa beyond their existing holdings in Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli.

The capture was orchestrated by Ramazan Pasha, an Ottoman military commander, acting on behalf of Sultan Murad III. The context for this intervention was the ongoing dynastic struggles within the Saadi dynasty, which ruled Morocco. Abu Abdallah Mohammed II Saadi, also known as Muhammad al-Mutawakkil, was seeking support to regain his throne from his uncle, Abd al-Malik. Al-Mutawakkil initially sought help from Spain and Portugal, but when they demanded territorial concessions, he turned to the Ottomans.

Ramazan Pasha led an Ottoman force, composed largely of Algerian Janissaries and other troops, to Fez. Abd al-Malik, supported by his own forces, was defeated and fled south. The Ottomans installed Abu Abdallah Mohammed II as a vassal ruler in Fez.

This Ottoman control was short-lived. Abd al-Malik rallied his forces and, with support from Spain, challenged Abu Abdallah Mohammed II. The subsequent Battle of Wadi al-Makhazin (also known as the Battle of Alcácer Quibir or Battle of the Three Kings) in 1578 resulted in a decisive Saadi victory. Abu Abdallah Mohammed II, Abd al-Malik, and King Sebastian of Portugal all perished in the battle.

The Saadi victory at Wadi al-Makhazin effectively ended Ottoman hopes of establishing a permanent foothold in Morocco. The Saadi dynasty consolidated its rule, and Morocco maintained its independence from the Ottoman Empire.