Episode 101: The Climax of Resistance, Shifting Alliances, and the Political Meeting in Tetouan
The Entry into Tetouan — Al-Raisuni at the Height of His Power.
At the peak of his political and military influence, Moulay Ahmed al-Raisuni enters Tetouan surrounded by thousands of followers, a moment symbolizing his extraordinary authority in northern Morocco and his emergence as a central figure in one of the most turbulent chapters of the country's modern history.
Episode 101: The Climax of Resistance, Shifting Alliances, and the Political Meeting in Tetouan
Introduction
As the resistance in the mountains of Jbala reached a critical juncture, the conflict witnessed a series of intense engagements, strategic ambushes, and profound political realignments. Based on historical accounts covering these pivotal moments, this episode examines the fierce battles fought by the mujahidin, the controversial shift toward a negotiated peace, and the tragic internal fractures that ultimately weakened the native defense.
1. The Battle of Bab al-Suwar
This engagement unfolded along the Wadi Asaq front, with eyewitness accounts recorded by Colonel Ali al-Sharqawi, a former officer in the Spanish occupying army.
- A military relief column marched out of Ksar El Kebir to break the siege on the strategic base of Souk Larbaa des Beni Arouss, comprising Spanish troops and Maghrebi auxiliary soldiers from southern tribes.
- As the column moved toward the tribes of Al-Srayf and Beni Jerfot, it was intercepted by the Samata tribe.
- A fierce battle ensued where local Maghrebi fighters from the south demonstrated exceptional resilience, but the mujahidin ultimately inflicted a crushing defeat on the occupation forces and their auxiliary units.
- The engagement left heavy casualties and material losses, including around two hundred dead among the enemy ranks.
2. The Battle of Al-Nuwader in Wadi Buhmam
"Al-Nuwader" is a well-known agricultural location situated in the Misa'a of Beni Arouss, serving as a strategic hub overlooking Wadi Asaq to the north, and the Beni Jerfot and Wadi Buhmam roads to the south.
- Recognizing its strategic importance, the hero al-Sayyid Ahmed al-Bashir al-Shantoufi meticulously studied and prepared a precision ambush.
- The Spanish army heavily relied on Wadi Buhmam for watering horses, mules, and camels, as well as for relaxation and bathing by the large military garrisons.
- When the occupation forces and a relief detachment walked unsuspectingly into the valley, the mujahidin opened devastating fire from all directions, trapping the enemy.
- Very few escaped the carnage, resulting in a monumental defeat for the Spanish army in 1341 AH (1922 AD).
3. The Battle of Al-Ribta and Beni Jerfot
This historical clash occurred near the sand-dunes of Al-Zaytoun between the villages of Ourmout and Al-Sakhtra in the Jerfot region.
- Guided by precise intelligence, local fighters set up an ambush to intercept a massive Spanish military supply convoy emerging from the Al-Ribta garrison.
- Commanded by al-Qa'id Muhammad wald al-Shawni, the mujahidin unleashed a simultaneous, devastating volley of gunfire from both sides of the valley as the convoy reached the center.
- Within two hours, the supply convoy's garrison was entirely annihilated, and all weapons, horses, and provisions loaded with rations were captured by the resistance.
4. Demands of Jbala History: From the Battle of Habana to the Fall of Tazarut
"An ambush from the heights: Local fighters engage a military convoy winding through a rugged mountain pass during the Battle of Habana."
The historical fallout from events like the Battle of Habana and the tragic conclusion of the resistance at Tazarut marked a painful turning point for Jbala. Diverging political visions—between those advocating tactical peace to save starving, freezing populations and those demanding unyielding armed struggle—created deep internal friction that fractured the unity of the mountain leaders.
5. The Political Meeting in Tetouan and Al-Raisuni's Vision
Following these arduous campaigns, a major political meeting took place in Tetouan, convened by the Spanish High Commissioner Dámaso Berenguer, bringing together tribal leaders, notables, and leader of the mujahidin Moulay Ahmed al-Raisuni.
- Al-Raisuni's Stance: Returning from Jebel Abi Hashim with thousands of tribesmen, al-Raisuni championed a peace agreement to halt the bloodshed. He argued that peace was a tactical necessity to save his people from starvation, cold, and total devastation, famously declaring: "A single lie with which I secure the safety of the Spanish is better than seventy years of your jihad."
- Internal Division and Sabotage: This peace initiative was fiercely opposed by hardline commanders like Mohamed Akhriro, who broke away from al-Raisuni’s policy. Exploiting these internal fractures, colonial actors behind the scenes manipulated local rivalries, leading to tragic internal conflicts, assassinations, and the ultimate weakening of the mountain resistance from within.
The Tactical Brilliance of Mohamed Akhriro and Mountain Warfare
As the war in the mountains of Jbala entered one of its most violent phases, the Spanish columns found themselves trapped in a hostile landscape where every ridge concealed danger and every valley echoed with the crack of rifle fire. The resistance had adapted to the terrain with remarkable skill, transforming the rugged mountains into a natural fortress that frustrated even the most experienced colonial commanders.
Among the resistance leaders who emerged during this period was the renowned commander Mohamed Akhriro. Known for his courage, mobility, and intimate knowledge of the mountain passes, Akhriro became one of the most feared figures confronting Spanish expansion. His fighters moved swiftly through forests, ravines, and rocky slopes, striking enemy detachments before disappearing into the mountains.
The fighting intensified as Spanish forces attempted to secure strategic routes linking their coastal positions with isolated interior garrisons. Determined to break the resistance, they launched repeated military expeditions supported by artillery and reinforced infantry units. Yet every advance was met by fierce opposition. Resistance fighters occupied commanding heights overlooking the valleys, turning the steep mountain terrain into deadly killing zones.
During one particularly violent engagement, Akhriro's men established concealed positions among the rocks overlooking a narrow mountain pass. As the Spanish column advanced, believing the route secure, it entered a devastating ambush. Rifle fire erupted from multiple directions, throwing the convoy into confusion. Officers struggled to maintain order while resistance fighters targeted the most vulnerable elements of the column. The battle raged for hours amid clouds of dust, smoke, and echoes reverberating through the mountains.
The confrontation demonstrated the effectiveness of mountain warfare. The resistance lacked heavy weapons, but it compensated through superior knowledge of the terrain, rapid manoeuvre, and extraordinary determination. Every ridge became a defensive position; every path became a potential trap.
Mohamed Akhriro's reputation grew with each engagement. His leadership inspired neighbouring tribes to continue resisting despite mounting hardships and constant military pressure. For many inhabitants of Jbala, the struggle was no longer merely a series of battles but a defence of their homeland, their traditions, and their independence.
Although Spanish forces possessed greater resources and modern equipment, they repeatedly discovered that controlling the mountains was far more difficult than occupying the coastal cities. The campaign became a war of endurance in which the resistance relied upon mobility, local support, and an unbreakable will to fight.
The battles associated with Mohamed Akhriro remain among the most dramatic episodes of the Jbala resistance. They illustrate how determined mountain fighters could challenge a powerful colonial army and preserve the spirit of resistance even during the darkest moments of the conflict.
To be continued...
See also the previous episodes linked below
المشرف على منصة "أرشيف شمال المغرب" للتوثيق والبحث التاريخي.
تعليقات
إرسال تعليق
We value your valuable feedback on these archive documents. Feel free to leave a comment—signing in with Google is optional if you'd like your name attached to your contribution