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Background to the Rif War - Algeciras conference
After the First Moroccan Crisis in 1904, there was a conflict between France and Germany, since they were both looking forward to establish a protectorate in Morocco. Therefore, on April 1906, the Algeciras conference was held. France and Spain were given the permission to establish a protectorate in Morocco, while Germany was given other territories in Africa, although they didn't agreed with the final solution. -
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Background to the Rif War - Local tribes began to be angry
In 1907, Spanish mining companies started working in the North part of Morocco. Local tribes were angry with this extractions, since they thought that they were taking out their materials. Therefore, they decided to attack the miners, and some of them were killed. The Spanish Army was forced to intervene. -
First years of war - Larache landing
On June 1911, the Spanish Army carry out an operation in order to occupy the city of Larache, in Morocco. This event marked the beginning of the Rif War, although the conflict with the people in Morocco had begun some years before the Larache landing. -
Treaty of Fes
In 1912, France and Morocco signed the Treaty of Fes, which made the African country to become a French protectorate. Spain, looking forward to recover from the losses of its last colonies in America and Asia, was given a small territory in the north part of the country, that included the mountain region of the Rif. In addition, Spain was given the south of Morocco. -
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Period of tension in Morocco - World War 1
Since 1912, revolts in Morocco and attacks against the Spanish army had occurred frequently. However, things began to be more calmed from 1913 to 1919. It was a period of slow progress and stabilization of lines for both sides. This happened due to WW1, that made Spain to be more involved in the supply of products for the war than in the war against Morocco. -
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First battles - Part 1
Since 1912, Spanish troops faced constant resistance movements and uprisings (ex: revolt in Yebala, led by Ahmed al-Raisuni). In January 1920, Manuel Fernández Silvestre is chosen to command the General Command of Melilla, and he promoted the conquest of the Bay of Al Hoceima. -
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First battles - Part 2
In October 1920, Alberto Castro Girona gain control of Chauen. However, he didn't have enough troops, so he was forced to build a big number of military forts (blocaos), and al-Raisuni was forced to hide. In January 1921, the Afrau landing took place. Spanish troops advanced towards the Alhomecas bay, and general Fernández Silvestre took some valleys recklessly, occupying the customs of Annual and establishing a camp. In March 1921, general Fernández Silvestre occupied the beach of Sidi Dris. -
Annual Disaster
Troops led by general Fernández Silvestre wanted to advance towards the Alhomecas bay. On June, they took the Abarran mountain, but were driven out by the rebels. Therefore, Spanish troops took the Iguerriben mountain, but were also driven out. The troops began to retreat to Melilla, but it was so disorganized that it was more like a flight. General Fernández Silvestre died, and the last thousands of soldiers reached the Arruit mountain. They were surrounded, forced to surrender and killed. -
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Spanish counterattack - Miguel Primo de Rivera's dictatorship
Dar Drius was recovered in January 1922, while Nadro, Zeluán and the Arruit Mountain were reconquered. In September 1923, Miguel Primo de Rivera led a coup d'état against the Spanish government. Under his dictatorship, he consolidated the Spanish presence in Morocco thanks to a great military victory, the landing of Alhomecas. The attacks on the Spanish positions continued during 1924. -
Battle of Uarga - French intervention
Since 1924, France began to be more involved in the conflict. They occupied militarily the north part of their territory. The Rif tribes launched a big offensive in order to occupy Fez (Battle of Uarga), so French troops were forced to stop the attack. Then, they attack the Rif tribes through the south, using chemical instruments -
Surrender of Abd-el-Krim - End of the Rif War
After the Battle of Uarga and the landing of Alhomecas, the territory was pacified, and in July 1927, the leader of the Rif rebels, Abd-el-Krim, was forced to surrender. -
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Consequences of the Rif War
In Spain, the Rif War was greatly frowned upon. Most of the soldiers that went there were young men that had to do the compulsory military service, and many wealthy families paid the government so that their sons didn't do it. This made the differences between the wealthy and the poor families more evident.