Bombardment of Salé

The Bombardment of Salé was a French naval attack against the Moroccan city of Salé that took place between 26 and 27 November 1851. After seven hours of fighting, the Moroccan artillery suffered severe damage, and the French bombarded the city through the night, damaging the city's infrastructure and the Great Mosque of Salé.

The bombardment occurred outside any state of war, and regarded an incident from 1 April 1851 in which the residents of Salé looted a cache of goods which had been rescued from a capsized French merchant ship. The French requested repayment, the Moroccons did not respond. In late November, a French squadron sailed to the city to demand repayment, else they would bombard the city. The Moroccons did not acquiesce, and both sides prepared for battle. The French opened fire on the morning of 26 November. During seven hours of clashes, the Moroccan artillery of Salé supported by that of Rabat and led by the Abdelhadi Zniber suffered significant damage. The French squadron commanded by Rear Admiral Louis Dubourdieu bombarded the city until the next day, seriously damaging the city's infrastructure, including the Great Mosque which was seriously affected.

French losses were minimal, with only four dead and 18 wounded. Conversely, 18 to 22 Moroccans died and 47 were wounded, two-thirds of whom were civilians. The outcome of the confrontation, although undecided following the withdrawal of French forces, is claimed as a victory by each of the belligerents.