Mers El Kébir (Arabic: المرسى الكبير, romanized: al-Marsā al-Kabīr, lit.

The Spanish held both cities until 1708, when they were driven out by Bey Mustapha Ben Youssef (also known as Bouchelaghem).

The Spanish returned in 1732 when the armada of the Duke of Montemar was victorious in the Battle of Aïn-el-Turk and again took Oran and Mazalquivir.

The French occupied it in 1830, and renamed it Saint André de Mers-el-Kébir, enhancing the port in 1868 with an eponymous lighthouse;[1] the latter was destroyed in World War II.

Google Earth imagery has confirmed that a sizeable number of the Algerian National Navy use the naval base at Mers El Kébir.