[2] It experienced considerable development and quickly emerged from a simple village to the summer residence of the Idrisid emirs.

[3] The geographer and traveller Ibn Hawqal in the 9th century described it as a flourishing commercial centre and mentioned that it is of medium size and is surrounded by defensive walls.

He also said that it was served by two river ports as a thriving center of commerce and an important area of cotton and grain production.

[4] In 979, the Fatimids led a military expedition to Ceuta, and on the way they destroyed the walls and fortifications of Basra.

Its layout, of which only the foundations remain, marries the relief and extends over a length of 2.5 km circumscribing an area of 30 hectares.