Ibrahim Agha

Ibrahim Agha Agha
Native name	دالي إبراهيم
Allegiance	Deylik of Algiers
Service / branch	Algerine land forces
Rank	Agha al-Mahalla
Battles / wars	Invasion of Algiers in 1830 Battle of Staouéli Battle of Sidi-Khalef
Spouse(s)	Unnamed daughter of Hussein Dey

Ibrahim Agha, was an Algerian noble, commander of the Algerian forces during the Invasion of Algiers,^[1][2][3] and the son-in-law of Hussein Dey.^[4]

He married Hussein Dey's daughter.^[5] Whether he was a native Algerian, a Turk, or a Kouloughli is also unknown.^{[citation needed]} He was appointed as Agha (general) in 1828.^[6]

In 1830 France invaded Algeria after a naval blockade lasting for three years. Hussein appointed Ibrahim as the commander-in-chief of his forces, which consisted of contingents from the Beylik of Constantine, Titter, and Oran, and the Dar-as-Soltan Janissary militia.^[7] He advised Hussein to let the French land in Algeria, to make sure that "not one of them would return to their homeland". Upon hearing of the French navy sighted near Sidi-Fredj, he organized the army, and attempted to defend the town. The army itself was horribly prepared, as the Dey didn't make any efforts to better his army. The battle started on June 14 and the Algerians were able to inflict 32 casualties on the French after which they retreated. The Algerians hardly sustained any casualties but lost 16 artillery, and two mortar pieces.

Upon retreating the next day Ibrahim showed himself in his very best clothes. His tent was magnificently decorated, and he was ready to launch an attack.

The French at the time were waiting for additional equipment to arrive, since a large amount of their older ones got destroyed in a storm, and in the battle of Sidi Fredj.^[8] He wanted to surprise the enemy using a quick raid on their camps. Ibrahim himself knew of the importance of the battle but regardless only used 10,000 of his about 40,000 troops to attack the French army since he underestimated their numbers and prowess. The Algerian attack got repulsed by the French army, whom counter-attacked and seized the Algerian artillery, camps, and the town of Staouéli itself. The Algerians, pursued with bayonets were routed shells launched with marvelous dexterity wherever large groups presented themselves, caused terror amongst them. The Algerian batteries, on the contrary, firing without accuracy, produced no effect; led by even more skillful gunners, their fire did not shake the French troops. From that moment the Algerians understood their weakness, which lied in the old weaponry, and the bad craftsmanships. They did not wait for the shock which threatened them, and instead fled precipitately towards their camp, which they crossed without even thinking of defending it.^[9]

He launched one last desperate battle at Sidi-Khalef to save both his honor, and Algeria, but following his defeat, he was removed by Hussein.