Raid of Marrakesh (1515)

The Raid of Marrakesh in 1515 was a significant military event in the conflict between the Portuguese and the Wattasid dynasty of Morocco. Portuguese forces, operating from their coastal strongholds, launched a large-scale raid on Marrakesh, then the capital of the Wattasid sultanate.

The primary motivation for the raid was likely a combination of factors, including a desire for plunder, a show of force to intimidate the Wattasids, and potentially, a longer-term strategy of destabilizing the Moroccan sultanate to expand Portuguese influence in the region.

The raid itself involved a substantial Portuguese expeditionary force that marched inland towards Marrakesh. Upon reaching the city, the Portuguese engaged in widespread looting and destruction. While the exact details and scope of the fighting within Marrakesh are debated, it is clear that the Portuguese inflicted significant damage on the city and its surrounding areas.

The consequences of the Raid of Marrakesh were far-reaching. While the Portuguese did not succeed in permanently occupying the city, the raid demonstrated their military capabilities and further destabilized the Wattasid dynasty. The Wattasids were already facing internal challenges and external threats, and the Portuguese raid further weakened their authority. The raid also contributed to the growing animosity between the Portuguese and the Moroccan population, fueling future conflicts. Ultimately, the weakening of the Wattasids paved the way for the rise of the Saadi dynasty, who would eventually expel the Portuguese from Morocco.