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The Turkish Abductions (Icelandic: Tyrkjaránið [ˈtʰɪr̥caˌrauːnɪθ]) were a series of slave raids by pirates from Algier and Salé that took place in Iceland in the summer of 1627.[1]
The adjectival label "Turkish" (Icelandic: Tyrkja) does not refer to ethnic Turks, country of Turkey or Turkic peoples in general; at the time it was a general term for all Muslims of the Mediterranean since the majority were from or subjects of the Ottoman Empire.[2]
The pirates came from the cities of Algiers and Salé.[2] They raided Grindavík, the East Fjords, and Vestmannaeyjar.[1] About 50 people were killed[1] and close to 400 captured and sold into slavery.[1] A ransom was eventually paid, 9 to 18 years later,[3] for the return of 50 individuals.[1]
The pirates of Algiers who were at the event then took part of the island.