Battle of al-Kawiya

Ibn al-Rami, the Alawi commander and leader of the raiding forces, led an expedition into Algerian territory.^[11] According to al-Rifi, the Moroccan forces reached al-Kawiya and remained there for nine months consuming the crops and plundering wealth until a great battle took place resulting in the death of a large number of Moroccan commanders.^[2][3] Ibn al-Rami was surprised by the Algerian battalion and defeated by them in September 1700.^[12] A night long artillery bombardment followed by a sweeping attack in the morning was employed resulting in the defection of the Arab tribes allied to the Alawites and a decisive victory with 12,000 killed as well as a large number of Moroccan commanders.^[2][3][13] The commanders ibn al-Rami and ibn-Ahmidah were both killed in battle, although another account mentions that al-Rami deserted to the Algerians following his defeat.^[3][12]

The Moroccans continued their offensives into Algerian territory. An attempt to seize Oran resulted in a battle in 1701 where Moulay Ismail was defeated near Arzew. Oran was attacked once more in 1707, this time an engagement occurred at Zebouja where Moulay Ismail suffered a heavy defeat.^[14]