Battle of Larache (1631)
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| Battle of Larache (1631) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Larache fortress in 17th century | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Kingdom of Spain |
 Republic of Salé | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Diego Ruiz de Colmenares (DOW) |
Sidi M'Hamed al-Ayachi | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 600 men | Unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 436 or 600 killed | Unknown | ||||||
The Battle of Larache occurred on February 7, 1631, when the forces of Sidi M'hamed el-Ayachi ambushed a detachment of the Spanish garrison of Larache.
On January 27, 1605, during a civil war in Morocco, the Moroccan sultan, Mohammed esh Sheikh el Mamun, was defeated by his brother, Zidan Abu Maali. Mohammed took refuge in Spain afterward. There he signed a treaty with Philip III of Spain, whereby he obtained military support in return for ceding the northern Moroccan port of Larache.[1] At the time of the expulsion of Morsicos from Spain, Sidi al-Ayachi rose in fame, devouring himself to launch a holy war against the Christians.[2] In April 1627, Sidi al-Ayachi revolted against the sultan and attacked the harbor of Salé, which he captured and transformed into his principality, the Republic of Salé, becoming its independent governor.[3] al-Ayachi began attacking the Spanish areas in Morocco. In Larache, he managed to capture a spy named Ibn Aboud. Al-Ayachi ordered his execution, but Ibn Aboud begged for support in exchange for his life.[4]