The siege of Oran was a military campaign launched by the Regency of Algiers, led by Muhammad el Kebir, against the Spanish garrison of Oran. The Algerians occupied the city after a siege that lasted from 1790 to 1792, ending the Spanish occupation that lasted for 300 years.

Quick Facts Date, Location ...

Siege of Oran (1790–1792)
Oran in 1750
Date October 1790 – March 1792 Location Oran Result Algerian victory
Belligerents
Regency of Algiers	Spanish Empire
Commanders and leaders
Mohammed el Kebir	Juan de Courten
Strength
30,000 men	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Heavy

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In 1785, the Spanish began negotiations with Algiers and were willing to cede Oran and Mers el-Kebir if they would be allowed to retain their trading posts in return for Algiers to cease their attacks on Spanish vessels.^[1][2] The Algerians were happy with these terms; however, the Spanish population was outraged with these terms, forcing their government to delay carrying them out. The death of Charles III of Spain and the breakout of the French Revolution forced the Spanish to forget about Oran. The Dey of Algiers was becoming impatient with their false promises and began blockading Oran in 1789.^[3]

In October 1790,^[4] Muhammad Bey began the siege of Oran with an army of 30,000 men.^[5] The Bey considered using mining explosives against the city walls; however, a violent earthquake struck Oran and devastated the town, destroying most of the city and killing more than 2,000 of its inhabitants.^[6][7][8] The Algerians used this opportunity and launched a swift assault into the city, but the Spanish garrison resisted fiercely and repelled the assault. The Algerians then began besieging the city more closely.^[9] The Spanish began opening negotiations in August or September 1791. Both sides agreed to a treaty which confirmed the earlier terms. In early 1792, the Spanish evacuated the town along with their belongings, and in March, the Algerians occupied the city.^[10][11]

The Algerians began repopulating the city with Arabs and Jews, which remained under their control for 40 years.^[12] The Ottoman sultan sent his praises, when the city returned under Muslim control, which ended the Spanish control that lasted three hundred years.^[13]