Melilla honors Irish General John Sherlock on 250th anniversary of longest Moroccan siege

The Spanish-occupied enclave of Melilla is set to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the actions of John Sherlock, an Irish-born general credited with defending the city from a Moroccan siege in 1775. The celebrations, spanning ten days, will include exhibitions, guided tours, and lectures detailing Sherlock’s role in breaking the siege led by the Moroccan Sultan, Muley Mohamed Ben Abd-Allah (Mohamed III).

Sherlock, originally from Waterford, Ireland, commanded the Spanish garrison when Moroccan forces, numbering 40,000 men, launched an offensive against Melilla. The siege, lasting 100 days, ended on March 19, 1775, when the Sultan ordered a withdrawal. The annual tradition of honoring Sherlock has persisted among Melilla’s residents, who are set to introduce a «Sherlock Route», highlighting the enclave’s Irish connections through street names and historical sites.

Melilla, alongside Ceuta, is one of two Spanish-occupied enclaves on the Moroccan coast. While Spain maintains that its sovereignty over these territories dates back to the 15th century, Morocco views them as occupied land. The city’s history reflects centuries of conflict and repeated Moroccan attempts to reclaim it.

According to historical sources, Melilla was originally known as «Rusadir» during the Roman era. The modern occupation of the city dates back to September 17, 1496, when Spanish forces led by Pedro de Estopiñán seized it. Since then, Melilla has been a point of contention, with Moroccan forces periodically besieging it, including the prolonged 1774-1775 offensive led by Sultan Mohamed III. Spanish naval superiority and control over supply routes ultimately thwarted Moroccan efforts.

Treaties and agreements between Spain and Morocco have influenced the enclave’s status over the years. The 1859 Tetuán Agreement and subsequent negotiations in 1862 delineated the territorial limits of Melilla under Spanish control. Despite these arrangements, Morocco has consistently reiterated its claim over the city, viewing its occupation as a remnant of colonial expansion.