Expedition to Mostaganem (1558)

The Expedition to Mostaganem (1558) was a military campaign launched by the Spanish Empire against the Ottoman Empire's regency of Algiers, specifically targeting the city of Mostaganem, located in present-day Algeria. The expedition was initiated by Charles V's son, King Philip II of Spain, and led by Martin de Córdoba, Count of Alcaudete, the governor of Oran.

The primary goal of the expedition was to seize control of Mostaganem, a strategic port city that served as a vital link in the Ottoman-Algerian alliance and a base for corsairs who frequently raided Spanish shipping and coastal settlements. The Spanish hoped that by capturing Mostaganem, they could weaken Ottoman influence in the region, disrupt corsair activity, and secure their position in North Africa, particularly in the nearby city of Oran, which was already under Spanish control.

The Spanish forces, consisting of a large army and a substantial fleet, landed near Mostaganem in August 1558. They quickly captured the city but soon found themselves besieged by a larger Ottoman-Algerian force led by Hasan Pasha, the Beylerbey of Algiers. The Ottoman-Algerian forces employed a strategy of harassment and attrition, cutting off the Spanish supply lines and gradually weakening their position.

The Spanish forces, facing dwindling supplies, disease, and constant attacks, were forced to retreat back to their ships. The retreat was disastrous, with heavy losses inflicted by the pursuing Ottoman-Algerian forces. The Count of Alcaudete himself was captured, and a significant portion of the Spanish army was either killed, captured, or dispersed.

The Expedition to Mostaganem (1558) was a significant defeat for the Spanish Empire and a major victory for the Ottoman-Algerian alliance. It solidified Ottoman influence in North Africa, reinforced the power of the Regency of Algiers, and emboldened corsair activity in the Mediterranean. The defeat had a lasting impact on Spanish foreign policy in the region, leading to a period of retrenchment and a focus on defending existing Spanish holdings rather than launching new offensive campaigns. The capture of the Count of Alcaudete also became a prolonged source of negotiation and ransom efforts between the Spanish and Ottoman empires.