A Muslim naval victory in the Strait of Gibraltar that halted Castilian efforts to control the strait and ended the first phase of the prolonged struggle for Algeciras.
Key Facts
- Date
- July 25, 1278
- Theater
- Strait of Gibraltar
- Outcome
- Muslim (Marinid–Granada) victory
- Castilian commander
- Admiral Pedro Martínez de Fe
- Muslim commander
- Abu Yaqub Yusuf an-Nasr
- Associated siege duration
- 1278–1279
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Kingdom of Castile sought to extend its control over the Strait of Gibraltar as part of the Reconquista, prompting the allied Marinid dynasty and Emirate of Granada to mount combined naval resistance against Castilian expansion in the region.
On July 25, 1278, Castilian and combined Marinid–Granadan fleets clashed in the Strait of Gibraltar near Algeciras. The Muslim coalition, under Abu Yaqub Yusuf an-Nasr, defeated the Castilian fleet commanded by Admiral Pedro Martínez de Fe, while a simultaneous land siege of Algeciras was prosecuted by Infante Sancho.
The Muslim naval victory neutralized Castilian sea power in the strait, and the accompanying land siege was abandoned by Infante Sancho in 1279, concluding the first phase of what would become a prolonged contest for control of the Strait of Gibraltar.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Pedro Martínez de Fe.
Side B
2 belligerents
Abu Yaqub Yusuf an-Nasr.