Episode 103 — The Preparation and Assault on the Village of Tazarout (Part 1)
The Last Breath of Al-Raisuni
As Tazarout stood surrounded and the final chapter of a turbulent era unfolded, Sharif Ahmed al-Raisuni departed this world. Yet for many of his admirers, his voice never fell silent among the mountains of Jbala. His death remains surrounded by questions that history has never fully answered, leaving behind a mystery as enduring as his legacy.
Whether he died from illness, neglect, or circumstances forever lost to time, the man himself passed away—but the debate did not. In the memory of his supporters, Al-Raisuni became more than a historical figure: he became a symbol of resistance, defiance, and the unresolved truths that often accompany the fall of great leaders.
Episode 103 — The Preparation and Assault on the Village of Tazarout (Part 1)
Introduction: The Spanish Withdrawal and the Political Landscape
Following the withdrawal of Spanish forces from the city of Chefchaouen and the cowardly massacre in the tribe of Beni Hassan that lasted for twenty days, President Muhammad Abd el-Krim el-Khattabi entered the city of Chefchaouen on 28 Jumada al-Ula 1343 AH (December 24, 1924 AD).
He was accompanied by:
- Around two hundred horsemen from the Rif tribes.
- Moroccan flags carried by Ibn al-Mudda'i al-Hakami and Al-Siddiq al-Khmalishi.
- A welcoming delegation of Rifians led by Al-Mofaddal al-Bannino al-Khamsi (who served as his deputy in the city) and Ahmed Bourgeila al-Ouriaghli (his deputy in Jebala).
Diplomatic Missions and Resistance Delegations
President Abd el-Krim established headquarters in the village of Taghzout, serving as a hub for communication between him and his brother, Yazid el-Khattabi. During this time, various mountain tribes rushed to submit to the Rifian Revolution. However, certain factions within the Al-Khamas tribes (Upper and Lower) delayed their submission.
Among those who delayed was Qaid Meswar, leader of the Qabila of Qebli, and Jebib, leader of the Zulaiq Qabila. Meanwhile, Qaid Muhammad Boulouija al-Touri visited the spiritual pole Mulay Abd el-Salam to submit to the Rifian Revolution, later sending a delegation to Sharif al-Raisuni at the shrine of Mulay Abd el-Salam. They requested that Sharif al-Raisuni send a delegation to President Abd el-Khattabi to declare allegiance and submit to the revolution.
Although Sharif al-Raisuni initially refused, the delegation returned and sent two letters:
- One from the leader of the reconnaissance team, Zawiya Tarrout, who witnessed the scene firsthand. It detailed how the Spanish intelligence service, alongside the Sharifian Shafior, Muhammad bin Awad al-Sufi from the village of al-Husun, visited Sharif al-Raisuni's property and livestock. They proposed that the Spanish would return all his weapons, ammunition, and possessions if he surrendered, provided he stayed within his home. Sharif al-Raisuni rejected the offer entirely, refusing to respond.
- The second letter came from Qaid Abd el-Salam al-Qar al-Khmalishi, detailing how Qaid Ahmed al-Bannino and Qaid al-Mofaddal al-Bannino pressured the Al-Khamas tribes to submit, threatening total destruction if they refused.
The Siege and Subjugation of Al-Khamas
Qaid Ahmed al-Bannino led a military force into the Al-Khamas region, destroying homes, cutting down crops, and burning villages. This brutal campaign lasted four years, leaving the tribe devastated.
Faced with this immense pressure, some factions within Al-Khamas surrendered and offered allegiance. However, the Lower Al-Khamas (including Beni Zerouil, Beni Ferqa, Beni Dréoul, and Beni Smih) refused to yield.
Qaid Ahmed al-Bannino organized a major military offensive consisting of:
- The Spanish-backed forces: Led by Qaid al-Mofaddal al-Bannino, featuring modern artillery, machine guns, and Spanish military support.
- Local allied contingents: Including forces led by Qaid Qasim ibn Musa, Qaid al-Madani Basi Haman, and various fighters from Beni Zerouil and Beni Smih.
The Battles of Resistance and Counter-Offensives
As the allied forces marched on Beni Zerouil, local resistance fighters under Qaid Ahmed al-Hajri and Qaid al-Yazid bin Saleh launched fierce counter-attacks.
- The Battle of Beni Zerouil: Fierce clashes erupted across Beni Zerouil, Beni Ferqa, and Tarikist. Qaid Ahmed al-Hajri mobilized fighters from Beni Humar, Beni Hassan, and Beni Zerouil.
- The Capture of Sheikh Ahmed bin al-Haj: The resistance captured Sheikh Ahmed bin al-Haj, leader of the Beni Tlid faction, alongside his cousin and advisors. They were imprisoned in Taghzout and later transferred to Ajdir, where Sheikh Ahmed bin al-Haj died in prison.
- The Assault on Al-Khamas: Qaid Ahmed al-Hajri, accompanied by 300 elite fighters, launched a surprise night attack on the headquarters of Qaid al-Mofaddal al-Bannino, driving out the collaborators and seizing weapons.
The Final Campaign Against Tazarout
Following months of escalating conflict, President Muhammad Abd el-Krim el-Khattabi ordered a massive, coordinated military campaign to eliminate the final stronghold of Sharif al-Raisuni.
- The Siege of Tazarout: Rifian forces surrounded the village of Tazarout, cutting off all supply lines and isolating the Sharif's stronghold.
- The Spanish Withdrawal: Sensing the impending collapse, Spanish forces began evacuating their surrounding outposts, including Chefchaouen, Bab Taza, and surrounding positions.
- The Death of Al-Raisuni: During the final stages of the siege and the ensuing bombardment, Sharif al-Raisuni passed away on 10 Shawwal 1343 AH (May 14–15, 1925 AD) in Tazarout, marking the end of an era of fierce regional resistance and shifting political dynamics in northern Morocco.
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Historical Conclusion: Between the Nature of Death and the Struggle of Leaders
Questioning the official narratives regarding the deaths of leaders and historical figures throughout history is not a coincidence; it is a natural reflection of the struggle for power and influence. Often, the death of a prominent figure like Ahmed bin Muhammad al-Raisuni under conditions of detention and captivity raises suspicion, especially since the occupying powers or the emerging forces of that period were fully aware of the danger of keeping him alive as a symbol of mountain resistance. Although traditional reports attributed his death to illness (edema and physical ailments), the logic of history and politics constantly fuels the hypothesis of liquidation or deliberate neglect, which is no less dangerous than direct assassination.
Historical Examples of Great Figures Who Ended Up Liquidated or in Mystery
Human history is full of major symbols whose lives ended in bloody or suspicious circumstances due to political or intellectual liquidation. Among the most prominent are:
- Socrates: The Greek philosopher who was forced to drink poison (hemlock) following a trial specifically designed to eliminate his thought and influence on the youth of Athens.
- Julius Caesar: The famous Roman leader who fell victim to betrayal and fatal stabbing inside the Senate at the hands of his closest associates, led by Brutus, ending his life with his famous phrase: "Even you, Brutus? Then let Caesar die."
- Mahatma Gandhi: The spiritual leader of India who was assassinated by direct gunshots fired by a political extremist on his way to prayer.
- Houari Boumediene: The late Algerian president, around whose sudden and rapid death circumstances many doubts and hypotheses circulated regarding the possibility of poisoning (with radioactive or chemical materials such as plutonium), given his sharp regional and international political stances at the time.
- William Wallace: The Scottish national hero who resisted the English occupation, whose life ended in the most brutal execution methods as his head was severed and his remains displayed as a warning to rebels.
- Imam Hussein bin Ali (the grandson of the Prophet, peace be upon him): Who was unjustly killed in the Battle of Karbala and beheaded in a purely political struggle for power, turning his tragic end into an eternal symbol of defiance and freedom through his famous saying: "If you have no religion, be free in your worldly life."
And as for how he was killed secretly while imprisoned without knowing how his murder was orchestrated, we leave that mystery to the end.
See also the previous episode
المشرف على منصة "أرشيف شمال المغرب" للتوثيق والبحث التاريخي.
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