Draft:Siege of Melilla (1694–1696)

The Siege of Melilla of 1694–1696 was a Moroccan attempt to take the city of Melilla, the Spanish preside over the north of the Sherifian Empire.

Context
After consolidating his power, Sultan Moulay Ismaïl decided to put an end to the Christian presence in the country  . For this, he relies on the Jaych Ar-Rifi founded in 1678 , composed mainly of fighters from the Rifian Berber tribes , renowned for being warriors  . Morocco achieved several successes against the Spaniards, with the liberation of Maâmora in 1681, Larache in 1687, and Assilah in 1691. The city of Tangier was also taken back from the English in 1684  . An attempt on Oran was, however, repulsed by the Spanish in 1693  .

The city of Melilla, occupied by the Spanish since 1497  , is constantly harassed by neighboring Riffian tribes  . It has recently experienced several attacks in 1667, 1678, 1679 and 1687 , in which the Spaniards lost many advanced posts which had been taken at the cost of heavy losses  .

Progress
THESeptember 3, 1694, the Moroccan sultan Moulay Ismaïl besieged Melilla , protected by a quadruple enclosure  , with the help of a large army, reinforced by large contingents from the Riffian tribes Qelaya and Bakkouya  . At the same time, he also ordered the siege of Ceuta  .

The Moroccans led a daring attack on the square, which was repelled by the Spanish garrison of Melilla  . They then established a blockade of the city, making any supply by land impossible. In addition, certain Riffians entrenched on Cape Three Fourches, with a breathtaking view of Melilla and its beach, attempted on several occasions to intercept certain isolated ships, and therefore to block supplies by sea to the city  . Faced with the lack of results, the seat was finally abandoned in 1696  .