Battle of Moulouya (1847)

The Battle of Moulouya was a military engagement between the forces of the Emirate of Abdelkader and the Alawi Sultanate who were supported by the French.^[5][6][4][7]

Following the Battle of Isly, the Moroccans concluded the Treaty of Tangiers with the French, one of its stipulations was that Emir Abdelkader was to be outlawed in Morocco.^[6][9] Emir Abdelkader was then camped at the gates of the Rif where he established his authority over several tribes including the Beni Snassen, M’talsa, Beni Bou Yahi and the Guelaya.^[10] His authority was also recognised by the Moroccan tribes surrounding Melilla.^[11] The Moroccan sultan demanded that Emir Abdelkader must either leave or surrender, as a result the scholars of Al-Azhar authorised that Emir Abdelkader was able to fight and wage war against the Moroccan sultan stating that he had deviated from Islam.^[12]

A Moroccan force was dispatched to capture Emir Abdelkader in the Battle of Oued Aslaf where he inflicted a crushing defeat against the Moroccans, killing the commander al-Hamra and capturing his family although he then sent them to Fez with honour.^[13] Following this incident, Emir Abdelkader sent his deputy Al-Bouhamdi to Fez to negotiate with the Moroccan sultan, however his reception was refused and the Abd al-Rahman had him thrown in prison and forced him to drink poison resulting in his death.^[14] had Another engagement occurred in the Battle of Agueddin where Emir Abdelkader once again triumphed over the Moroccan forces.^[15]

The Moroccan sultan was profoundly impacted by the defeat of his forces at Agueddin, consequently he sent another contingent against Emir Abdelkader this time composed of 5,000 Moroccan cavalrymen.^[16][15] They were ordered to pursue and capture the Emir. Emir Abdelkader calmly waited as they approached.^[16] Emir Abdelkader defeated the Moroccan cavalrymen at the Moulouya river, he used an effective assault and retreat tactic, ploughing through the Moroccan forces.^[16][15][6] One of Emir Abdelkader's commanders, Muhammad ibn Yahya, perished in the fight.^[5] He was the favourite among his commanders.^[16]

Emir Abdelkader was in a dire situation, which resulted in him entering French territory and surrendering.^[16][5] An agreement for his surrender was reached with Lamoricière, but only on the condition that his companions would be able to leave if they wished and go to Alexandria or Acre.^[5]