Capture of Algiers (1516)
1516 battle
The capture of Algiers in 1516 was accomplished by the brothers Oruç and Hayreddin Barbarossa against Sālim al-Tūmī, the ruler of the city of Algiers, which was followed by an unsuccessful military campaign by the Spanish Empire and the Sheikh of Ténès to overthrow the newly formed Sultanate of Algiers.
Background
In 1510, the Spaniards had established themselves on a small island in front of Algiers, and forced the local ruler Sālim al-Tūmī (Selim-bin-Teumi) to accept their presence through a treaty and pay tribute. Fortifications were built on the islet, and a garrison of 200 men was established. Sālim al-Tūmī had to go to Spain to take an oath of obedience to Ferdinand of Aragon.
In 1516, Sālim Al-Tūmī, invited the corsair brothers Oruç and Hayreddin to expel the Spaniards. Oruç, with the help of local troops, came to Algiers with his ally Ahmad al-Kadi of the Kingdom of Kuku and an army composed of 800 Turks and 5,000 Kabyle auxiliaries. The Moors gave a huge triumph to Oruç, but after failing to take the Peñón of Algiers from the Spanish, he ordered Sālim strangled because Salim was conspiring with the Spaniards against him.
Sālim Al-Tūmī had a son who managed to escape and take refuge in Spain, where Charles V reigned. He welcomed the son of Al-Tūmī with favour, since he and the Sheikh of Ténès wanted to drive out Oruç Barbarossa.
Spanish expedition to Algiers
The Spanish expedition included 10,000 or 15,000 soldiers and 10,000 Moors from Ténès.
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