In the early 17th century, French Admiral Isaac de Razilly became involved in the internal conflicts of the Saadi Sultanate in Morocco. Following the death of Sultan Zidan Abu Maali in 1627, a succession dispute erupted between his sons, Abu Marwan Abd al-Malik II and Al-Walid ibn Zidan.
Historical records, including French naval archives and accounts from the period, indicate that De Razilly led a military expedition in 1631. His forces briefly captured the strategic port city of Salé (now part of Rabat) with the objective of supporting one of the rival claimants, though sources differ on which faction he intended to aid. This intervention was part of broader European diplomatic and commercial maneuvering in the region.
The capture was short-lived. De Razilly's forces were soon expelled by local troops. The incident did not decisively alter the course of the Moroccan civil war but exemplified the era's complex interplay between European naval powers and North African political dynamics. De Razilly is more prominently remembered for his later role in founding the French colony of Acadia in present-day Canada.
