Episode 61 The Rif Region and the Role of the Beni Ouriaghel Tribe in the Jihad
The Rif Region and the Role of the Beni Ouriaghel Tribe in the Jihad
"Following the major victories achieved by the leader Muhammad bin Abd el-Krim in the summer of 1921, he thought of convening a congress to summon the tribal representatives to study the current situation and the establishment of a constitutional system to lead the resistance. The idea was received with enthusiasm. In the autumn of that year, the first congress was held. He opened it by stating: 'I cannot make a final declaration to you that the Rif will not change the course the delegation has followed, and it will not open any negotiations regarding peace except on the basis of Spain's recognition of the independence of the Rif.' He then presented a historical overview of the relations between Morocco and Spain, exposed the colonial crimes, and unveiled the agendas that Spain was pursuing behind the farce of the Protectorate. The congress resulted in the agreement of those gathered to declare the independence of the Rif and form a republic led by Muhammad bin Abd el-Krim as the commander of the liberation war. It was then decided to establish a General Assembly consisting of representatives from the communes, tribes, elders, and commanders, which is considered the supreme authority. The congress agreed to set the 15th of Muharram 1340 AH, corresponding to 18-9-1921 AD, as the day of independence. The General Assembly held several meetings and approved a constitution for the country, based on the principle of popular sovereignty. It did not separate the legislative and executive powers, but rather delegated them to the General Assembly and made the President of the Assembly the President of the Republic, and all members of the government are accountable to the President. Subsequently, the following National Charter was drafted:
(1) Non-recognition of any treaty that affects the country's rights, including the Protectorate Treaty signed in 1912 AD.
(2) The withdrawal of the Spanish from the Rif region.
(3) Full recognition of the independence of the Rif Republic state.
(4) Spain's payment of compensation to the Rifians for the war damages they incurred due to the occupation during the past ten years, and payment of ransom for the prisoners."
The Government Structure and Diplomacy
"(5) Establishing a friendship relationship with all nations without discrimination. (6) Demanding accession to the League of Nations. The first Rifian government was formed as follows:
- Leader: Muhammad bin Abd el-Krim.
- Deputy Leader: His brother, M'hammed bin Abd el-Krim.
- Minister of Foreign Affairs: His brother-in-law, Muhammad Ameziane.
- Minister of War: Abd el-Salam ibn al-Hajj Muhammad al-Bu'ayashi.
- Minister of Economy: His uncle, Abd el-Salam al-Khattabi.
- Minister of Interior: al-Yazid al-Hajj Hamou.
- Minister of Justice: al-Faqih Muhammad bin Ali Boulehiya al-Touzani.
- Minister of Tribes: Ahmed Akroud.
- Special Secretary: al-Hadi bin Muhammad bin Muhammad al-Bourahi.
- Press Office: Hannan bin Abd el-Aziz and Abd el-Qadir al-Fasi.
- Ambassador to London: Abd el-Krim ibn al-Hajj Ali Allouh.
- Ambassador to Paris: Haddou bin Hamou al-Jadiri.
After that, a People's Court was established for justice, and its headquarters was the Souq of Beni Boufrah. Judgments were issued against people for conviction and retribution, and God is the one who arbitrates between His servants on the day they dispute, and they will resort to His justice on the Day of Judgment. On 24-7-1923, the President of the Rif Republic addressed international governments; among them a message addressed to the Spanish government in which Muhammad Ameziane, the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Republic, says: 'The Rifian government is founded on modern rules and laws, and it considers itself a city that has existed for centuries, living politically and economically independent, hoping to live free as it has always lived, and sees that it has the right to possess its land before any state, and considers the colonial party as an aggressor with no right to impose a protectorate over the Rif, and the situation is that the Rif refuses what is claimed regarding the application of the protectorate over the Rif, and the situation is that the Rif does not recognize it, and rejects it completely as long as it is free and will govern itself, and seeks to obtain its legitimate rights, there is no dispute about it, and it will defend its independence.'"
Resistance and Stance on Aggression
"With all the means it possesses, and we are right to demand before the human nation, and we judge those who believe that they are entitled to our legitimate demands. The Spanish colonial war is being fought with the blood of their own people for the sake of personal ambitions and illusory rights, and if he were to hold himself accountable, he would see that he caused great losses to his nation due to his arrogant colonial aggression. He should have avoided it before it was too late. The Rifian government protests against every hostile act issued by the Spanish colonial war before the civilized world and before humanity as a whole, and disclaims all responsibility for the losses of money and lives that may occur. We also wonder how you ignored the interests of peaceful Spain, and the recognition of its rights, and the preservation of good neighborliness and the strengthening of unity with the Rifian people instead of attacking them and insulting their human and legal rights in accordance with the law of nations, which was enacted after the First World War. Remember that this treaty was planned by the leaders of great nations who fought the war and tasted its bitterness, so they could not but recognize the right of the people to be independent, no matter how small.
There is no lesson in what politicians claim that treaties remain ink on paper, and that might is right. The truth and the right must be achieved, and the world is still in confusion and turmoil that threatens world peace. If every people fights for their right and demands their freedom, it is a shame that Spain, if it lived in harmony with the Rif, would not recognize its rights, independence, and the exchange of mutual interests. Then it would be a point of pride and honor, and recorded in its history as a white point. On our part, the Rifian government will receive with joy the change of the hostile war plan, and hopes for the disappearance of the misunderstanding that caused the deviation from the point of moderation to the condemned extremism, for lack of insight and reflection on the consequences of the matter at a time when hateful emotions were controlled."
Spanish Duplicity and 1924 Events
"Because of that, the Rifian government expresses its deepest regret if the Spanish colonial war continues in its tyranny and oppression. Imagine if you were the ones being attacked by a foreign party wanting to impose control over you and possess your necks while you are the ones claiming justice and establishing the truth, what would you do? Would you not output your defense even with your women? And all your forces? You do not accept slavery and control, and history bears witness to this belief. If they return to this belief, it is that the colonial war returns with bad intentions or malice towards one another. I cannot make a final declaration to you that the Rif is determined to the plan that has been followed, and will not open a door for negotiations regarding peace except on the basis of Spain's recognition of the independence of the Rif.
In 1924, Spain was reeling from demonstrations condemning the war in North Africa, and then the dictator Primo de Rivera appeared on the scene and seized power, promising to resolve the Moroccan issue quickly and with reasonable and supervised management. He was appointed as a High Commissioner succeeding the General Izoro, who signed a large agreement to withdraw the Spanish armies from the mountains by way of peace with the Al-Raisuni, the Haj Moussa, in October 1923, to the coastal cities, and Al-Raisuni would maintain order and calm in the Jbala region; however, this was not achieved for several reasons, the first is that Al-Raisuni lost part of his authority over the rebellious tribes, and one of his best fighters, Commander Ahmed Akherrou, joined the ranks of the Rif to work under the leadership of Leader Muhammad bin Abd el-Krim, even if Al-Raisuni remained loyal to his policy of deceiving the Spanish. In early November, Primo de Rivera began mobilizing reserve troops in the coastal cities of Al-Hoceima and Almeria. In the early days of March 1924, the Rifian pressure on the military position in Tizi Azza intensified, and at the same time the tribes located between the Oued Martil, Aouias, and between Tetouan and Chefchaouen joined the struggle, and the destruction of everything there of the Spanish army was one after another, which wanted to withdraw from the Jbala and Ghomara tribes. The tribes were always agreeing to the leadership of Al-Raisuni, and they joined all at once, led by Commander Ahmed Akherrou."
Unity and The Council of the Revolution
"A visual representation of the Rif Republic’s struggle for independence, its institutions, diplomacy, and the leadership of Mohammed ben Abdelkrim El Khattabi."
"Muhammad bin Abd el-Krim under the leadership of his brother M'hammed, and that gave support and momentum to the national liberation movement, which it was no longer possible to limit to the Rif, and this time gave the liberation war material and moral strength that led to the defeat on all fronts, and with the Rifians' control over what is between Fendeq and Alcazarquivir, and they cut the way to what was between Tetouan, Tangier, and besieged Chefchaouen. By the beginning of July, the attack had reached dimensions that it besieged all the Spanish positions in the mountains, especially those surrounding Tetouan, trapped under the mercy of the mujahideen waiting for them to surrender, and the occupation was incapable of a rescue initiative with force; however, the air force was taking revenge by bombing groups of villages, and killing hundreds of women and children in the areas controlled by the nationalists.
During this stifling crisis, the dictator Primo de Rivera sought to hold secret negotiations between him and the Rifian leader Muhammad bin Abd el-Krim through Muhammad bin Mhammedi for a peace treaty under which Spain would grant self-independence to the Rif region in the area they control and supervise. The leader rejected this generous offer and suggested instead, in return for peace, five conditions: Firstly, Spain's recognition of the independence of the Rif. Secondly, that Spain pay compensation of twenty million pesetas. Thirdly, that Spain hand over to the Rif government fifteen planes and one hundred and twenty mountain artillery guns. Fourthly, that the Spanish evacuate Morocco. Fifthly, upon Spain's acceptance of these points, we will enter into a discussion of peace and the exchange of prisoners. On 13-12-1924, the dictator General Primo de Rivera gave a speech upon his reception of the few defeated army, they entered Tetouan in a state that draws pity from misery, hunger, and wounding, grief, despair, panic, and weakness from the massacre of Chefchaouen, admitted defeat and told reporters that Muhammad bin Abd el-Krim had superior power over us in the fighting, and helped by the rebels from the Jbala tribes, and I personally want a complete withdrawal from Africa, then he said 'the punishment of the rebels will be harsh and will be achieved soon and surely, and they will reap what they sowed from these defeats that they inflicted on our armies and our men, and they are against us today will be loyal to us tomorrow, and the near future, and we are on the verge of using what remains of them in this occupation.'"
The Republic in 1925 and Members of the Council
"Muhammad bin Abd el-Krim on the front, and we are all today hoping for health for us, and to be under our rule and influence. Beginning in 1925 with the full control of Muhammad bin Abd el-Krim over Northern Morocco, the small military bases in Ceuta, Melilla, Larache, and Tangier, and outside these bases, the flag of the Rif Republic was red, with a specific center, a white crescent and a six-pointed star of the same color, was fluttering on all tribes, and the new state deposed the leader Al-Raisuni from his position and exiled him from his home, even he remained a leader over the Jbala tribes.
The defeat of the Spanish colonialism was a complete defeat, and it is a wonder how groups of irregular rebels, untrained in military fighting and unorganized and composed of volunteers, defeated a regular army, and a European nation and professionals in war among generals and colonels. The rebels, they are the sons of the heroic North of Morocco, the people who have been defeated by Spain and ruled by them for an era that history does not read or ignores, and perhaps the reason is the miracle of the hero. The total number of Rifian tribes that the leader Muhammad bin Abd el-Krim declared as a republic was thirty-four tribes, most of which were under Spanish occupation from Bab Melilla to Sidi Idris, the Temsamane tribe. After the thousand, the Council of the Revolution was composed of all the lords: 1- himself, 2- the Faqih Muhammad bin Ali Boulehiya, 3- Mr. Muhammad ibn al-Sayyid Ahmed al-Jadiri, 4- al-Hajj Hamoush al-Jadiri, 5- Mr. Abd el-Salam ibn al-Hajj al-Bu'ayashi, 6- Mr. Ahmed Bodra, 7- al-Hajj Masoud al-Jadiri, 8- Mr. Abd el-Krim ibn al-Hajj Bodra, 9- Mr. Hamadi Bouzlamat, 10- Ali Ashbar, 11- Mr. Shu'aib bin Muhammad bin Omar, 12- Mr. Muhammad Abd Allah Bodra, 13- Mr. Muhammad Akouh Bousarmit, 14- Mr. Sayyid Muhammad Ahmed Bousarmit, 15- Mr. Sayyid Muhammad bin Omar al-Qadi, 16- Mr. Sayyid Haddou Oussarou, 17- al-Hajj Hamadi ibn al-Hajj Sa'id, 18- al-Sayyid al-Yazidi ibn al-Hajj Hamou, 19- al-Sayyid Omar Allouch, 20- al-Sayyid al-Hadi ibn Azzouz, 21- al-Sayyid al-Tahar al-Qadi, 22- al-Hajj al-Radi al-Zafzafi, 23- al-Sayyid Mouh bin Tahar al-Bu'ayashi, 24- al-Sayyid Mouh bin."
The Oath of the Council
"Hamish al-Bu'ayashi, 25- al-Sayyid Abd al-Razzaq ibn al-Hajj, 26- al-Sayyid Allouch al-Mrabet, 27- al-Sayyid Omar bin Hamadi, 28- al-Sayyid Haddo bin Mahand ibn Ali, 29- al-Sayyid Mouh ibn Omar, 30- al-Sayyid Mahand Amzian, 31- al-Sayyid Mouh ibn Amr, 32- al-Sayyid Amhand al-Abdalawi, 33- al-Sayyid Mouh Abqash al-Bladoui, 34- al-Sayyid Mouh bin al-Siddiq al-Hadaifi, 35- al-Sayyid Botaher Makouh al-Hadaifi, 36- al-Sayyid Muhammad ibn al-Hajj Mahand al-Mrabti, 37- al-Sayyid Mouh bin al-Hajj Omar, 38- al-Sayyid Muhammad ibn al-Hajj Mahand al-Majouti, and these are the prominent notables, and they are behind every clan. Al-Bu'ayashi says: 'The situation was truly terrifying, to imagine a person that Muhammad bin Abd el-Krim was in the middle of the assembly, which embraced everyone from them, their hatred was directed at him, and he had summoned them for a meeting as someone close yesterday, co-operating with him in the city of Melilla, and they were looking at him with hatred, or coercion, or grudge, and suddenly the people came from where they were taken: whether from the defense of religion and country; for their cause to the free mujahideen was very sensitive, and likewise the case of the sanctuary and the neighbor, when they covenant, they covenant with an oath, an oath with millions, and trust increases if it is accompanied by an oath, they swore the oath of righteousness and fulfillment on the Holy Quran, after ablution and prayer, and reciting the Fatiha and some verses of the clear signs; for the situation gained seriousness and appreciation, and the looks changed, and they became looks of trust, appreciation, and great brotherhood. And here is the formula of the oath which he recited on the Holy Quran, after ordering his presence, the President of the Assembly, Muhammad bin Abd el-Krim, and he presented before the assembly for the oath, and the President himself began and said: 'First: I pledge to defend my religion, my homeland, and my honor to the death. Second: I pledge to implement the Sharia laws commanded by the Holy Quran, and I will not be blamed for the sake of God, even if it is against my closest relatives. Third: I will not incite blood feuds between our tribes, and I ask the attendees, do you agree?' Then he said to the attendees, they all answered with one word 'Yes, we agree,' then he said: 'Islam is protected in these lands, God willing, and victory is in the hands of God Almighty: If you help the cause of Allah, He will help you, and if He helps you, there is no one who can overcome you. Know that you will swear an oath on this Holy Quran Do not use.'"
The Meeting of the Council and Tribal Tensions
"your oaths as a means of deception among yourselves, then he who is not from you in purity, then the attendees advanced to recite the Quran, one by one, after reciting the Fatiha, then proceeded to recite the oath from Muhammad bin Ali Boulehiya al-Touzani, then after that he made the formula of the oath for the dividers, whom he knew the reading, and thus they came to all the attendees, and after that the leader stood up in the noise: 'You are our leader, and we are walking behind you until we penetrate the sea and the feet behind the enemy, no, no, and the leeches cannot touch our clean land,' and the word of the leader meant the Spanish who eats the leeches, then he called the people to form the Council of the Revolution, which consists of thirty men who swore the oath of righteousness on the Holy Quran, then a committee was formed to choose a center for the connection, so they chose for it a center called the head of the mountain called the Temsamane tribe, it greets the enemy's camp by Anwal, where the mujahideen connect by the Indala, which is the role of the enemy, but some of the leaders agreed to that, then the committee decided to contact the leaders of Temsamane to convince them of the unity of the word on the Jihad, and that the leader writes a message to them inviting them to hold a meeting in the village of Bouzouiga, or in Sidi Boudaoud, to inform them of the unity of the word on the Jihad, and then the meeting was held between the members of the Council of the Revolution and the men of Temsamane. There attended from the commander Allal Bouazza and al-Hajj Hamadi Bousarmit and Hamadi bin Dadi and the invited al-Mukhtar and others, and he informed the members of the committee that the formation of the War Council was formed to unify the word on the Jihad, and the committee decided to take a center for the connection at the top of the mountain called the position of Salih to monitor the enemy's movements.
Commander Allal Bouazza opposed this with strong opposition, arguing that the Spanish army would shower his anger on the Temsamane tribe; because it is a mistake and a precaution between the armies and the tribe of Beni Ouriaghel, and the commander Allal's bias towards his opinion, and he did not respond to the opinion of the chosen members of the committee, and what they agreed upon to unify the word on the Jihad, and they verified from him that he was an agent of the occupation, receiving a monthly salary for that. And some of the people were about to issue a fatwa on him, had it not been for the intervention of Ibn Abd el-Krim, and reminding them of the article on which the oath was taken on the Quran, and the leader convinced the supporters of Commander Allal, and they tried to convince them that the word on the unity of the word was then made."
Conclusion of the Council's Formation
"between the tribes on the Jihad, he did not convince, so they forced him to withdraw(1) immediately, his companions agreed to choose the committee and unify the word, they swore the same oath that the first group swore, and promised these to supply the mujahideen, and mobilized the men from their tribes for the same sacred goals. This all took place in the month of Ramadan 1339 AH, in the month of May 1921 AD, then the military battles with the enemy arose on the 14th of Shawwal 1339 AH, corresponding to 6-15-1921 AD, and the difference in this date will come, and God knows the truth of the matter.
(1) It seems that he was wise, and one of the great Rifian strategists, and he was looking at things with their correct perspective and their true value; he preferred withdrawal from the crowd, and on what they agreed, because he was seeing things with the correct balance, and he did not want disappointment or deception for the Muslims."
Topics Covered in This Episode
Abdelkrim El Khattabi,Historical Documents,Jbala History,Moroccan Resistance,Northern Morocco History,Republic of the Rif,Rif Independence,Rif Republic,Rif War,Spanish Colonialism,
See also the previous episodes linked below
- An analysis of the early resistance movements and their impact on Northern Moroccan identity.
Note: The images featured in this post are artistic representations created with the assistance of AI to help visualize the historical context; they are not intended to be interpreted as historical documents or archival photographs.
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