Battle of Algeciras (1278)

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Battle of Algeciras
Part of the Reconquista
Marinid gravestone, 13th century (Museo Municipal de Algeciras).
Date 25 July 1278 Location Strait of Gibraltar, Emirate of Granada, Spain Result Marinid Victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of Castile Order of Santa María de España	Marinid dynasty Emirate of Granada
Commanders and leaders
Pedro Martínez de Fe	Abu Yaqub Yusuf an-Nasr
Strength
Castilian navy •100 ships	Marinid navy • 72 ships Nasrid navy • 12 ships
Casualties and losses
All but 3 ships and hundreds drowned	Unknown

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The Battle of Algeciras was a naval battle which occurred on July 25, 1278. The battle pitted the fleets of the Kingdom of Castile, commanded by the Admiral of Castile, Pedro Martínez de Fe, and the combined fleets of the Marinid dynasty and that of the Emirate of Granada, commanded by Abu Yaqub Yusuf an-Nasr. The battle was fought in the context of the Moorish naval expeditions to the Iberian Peninsula. The battle, which took place in the Strait of Gibraltar, resulted in a Muslim victory.

This battle coincided with a simultaneous siege of the city of Algeciras which lasted from 1278–79 and was commanded by the Infante Sancho. The Castilian prince would abandon the siege later in 1279, marking the end of the first action of the long battle for the Strait of Gibraltar.