First Battle of Kalaa of the Beni Abbes (1553) explained

Conflict:Battle of Kalaa of the Beni Abbes (1553)
Place:Kalâa of Ait Abbas, Bejaia Algeria
Territory:Kabyle Kingdom of Ait Abbas confirms its control over the Bibans and the Hodna
Result:Kingdom of Ait Abbas Victory
• Maintaining the Kingdom of the Beni Abbes[1]
Combatant1:Kingdom of Ait Abbas
Combatant2: Regency of Algiers
Commander1:Abdelaziz Labbes
Commander2: Salah Rais
Strength1:Unknown
Strength2:2000 Janissaries
500 spahis
6000 Arab cavaliers
Casualties1:Unknown
Casualties2:Unknown, but high

The Battle of the Kalâa of the Beni Abbes took place during the winter of 1553 between the regency of Algiers and the Kingdom of Beni Abbas.

In order to counterbalance the influence of Sultan Abdelaziz of the Kalaa, Salah Rais ordered an expedition against the Kalaa of the Beni Abbes to annihilate his influence. The army of the Regency camped at Bona, a league from the Kalaa. Abdelaziz made a sortie against them and defeated them after a clash which was deadly for both sides. The armies of the Regency were forced to retreat after heavy losses, and this battle diminished their reputation.[2] The victory allowed Sultan Abdelaziz to confirm his control over the Bibans and the Hodna.[3] The following year the Regency of Algiers directed another expedition against Abdelaziz in the Battle of Oued-el-Lhâm.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Youssef Benoudjit, La Kalâa des Beni Abbès, 1997, p. 243
  2. Adrien Berruger, Les époques militaires de la grande Kabylie, Édition Belles Lettres, 2011, p. 84
  3. Mouloud Gaïd, Chroniques des Beys de Constantine, 1978, p. 10