Episode 113: The Betrayal of Beni Leit and the Fall of the Mujahideen Defending the Shrine of Moulay Abdessalam

Historical depiction of the betrayal at Jabal al-Alam, showing secret negotiations between local collaborators and Spanish officers while Mujahideen defend the sacred shrine of Moulay Abdessalam from advancing colonial forces.

A mountain betrayed, a resistance surrounded. The defenders of Moulay Abdessalam's shrine faced not only the Spanish army, but the devastating consequences of treachery from within.

Episode 113: The Betrayal of Beni Leit and the Fall of the Mujahideen Defending the Shrine of Moulay Abdessalam

Introduction

Throughout the long years of resistance against Spanish colonial expansion in northern Morocco, the sanctuary of Moulay Abdessalam Ben Mchich stood not only as a revered religious center but also as a symbol of spiritual authority and tribal unity. The mountain of Jabal al-Alam, overlooking the surrounding Jbala country, became a refuge for resistance fighters and a strategic stronghold from which the Mujahideen challenged the advancing colonial forces.

Among the tribes living in the shadow of this sacred mountain was the tribe of Beni Leit, neighboring Beni Arous, the homeland of Sharif Moulay Abdessalam. The tribe was widely respected for the courage and fighting spirit of its people, and many of its men had earned reputations as brave warriors. Yet in one of the most tragic episodes of the resistance, a group from within the tribe would play a decisive role in exposing the final defensive positions of the Mujahideen to the Spanish army.

What followed was a dramatic combination of betrayal, military deception, and colonial exploitation that ultimately weakened one of the last organized centers of resistance around the sacred shrine.

The Last Defenders of Jabal al-Alam

After successive Spanish campaigns in the region, many resistance groups were forced to retreat into the mountainous strongholds surrounding Jabal al-Alam. The sanctuary of Moulay Abdessalam remained a place of refuge and determination where the remaining fighters prepared themselves for what they knew could be their final confrontation.

The Mujahideen defending the area were experienced mountain warriors. They knew every ridge, valley, and pathway leading to the shrine. Their positions were carefully selected to take advantage of the difficult terrain, making any direct assault costly for the enemy.

Despite their limited resources, morale remained high. The defenders believed that the sanctity of the shrine and the rugged nature of the mountain would provide them with a final line of defense against colonial occupation.

The Secret Contact with the Spanish Army

According to the historical account preserved in the narrative, several men belonging to Beni Leit secretly established contact with Spanish authorities.

These individuals informed the colonial forces that the Mujahideen were concentrated near the shrine of Moulay Abdessalam and offered to assist in the operation against them.

To convince the Spanish commanders of their sincerity, they reportedly declared that they were prepared to raise a force of approximately thirty armed men equipped with modern rifles and ammunition. They promised that these men would support the planned military operation and facilitate the attack on the resistance positions.

For the Spanish command, which had long sought a decisive breakthrough in the region, such information was invaluable. Rather than relying solely on reconnaissance patrols, they now possessed guides familiar with every detail of the mountain and every path leading toward the Mujahideen.

Preparations for the Assault

Once the agreement was reached, Spanish commanders began assembling the forces necessary for a large-scale operation.

The objective was clear:

Destroy the resistance positions around Jabal al-Alam.
Capture or disperse the remaining fighters.
Secure the approaches to the shrine.
Eliminate one of the last centers of organized resistance in the western Jbala region.

Meanwhile, the Mujahideen remained unaware of the full extent of the conspiracy developing around them. They continued strengthening their defensive positions and stationed reserve units near the mountain. These reserves were intended to reinforce the front lines whenever a major attack occurred.

The defenders believed that the greatest danger would come from a direct Spanish advance. Few suspected that information about their deployment had already reached the enemy through local intermediaries.

The Movement of the Reserve Forces

As reports of an impending attack spread throughout the region, the Mujahideen mobilized additional fighters. A reserve force was assembled and positioned near the mountain to provide support to the defenders stationed around the shrine.

These men occupied locations overlooking the expected avenues of approach. Their mission was to reinforce threatened sectors and prevent any breakthrough by the colonial army.

The presence of these reserves should have significantly strengthened the defense. However, events soon unfolded in a manner that none of the resistance leaders had anticipated.

The Unexpected Arrival of the Spanish Columns

When the Spanish offensive finally began, the attacking forces advanced in a manner that surprised the defenders. Instead of following the routes where resistance fighters expected them to appear, Spanish troops emerged through areas that had been considered relatively secure.

The colonial columns succeeded in reaching a location known as Bota Sentil, deep within the territory associated with Beni Leit. The movement was so sudden and unexpected that the defenders found themselves confronted by enemy forces in positions where they had not anticipated a major attack.

Remarkably, the invading troops were able to penetrate these zones without encountering serious resistance from those who had pledged to defend them. This raised immediate suspicions among the Mujahideen.

Growing Suspicion of Betrayal

As the situation unfolded, many resistance fighters began questioning how Spanish troops had managed to move through the area so easily. The reserve units stationed nearby were puzzled by the lack of opposition encountered by the enemy.

Why had local defenders failed to challenge the advancing columns?
Why had warning signals not been raised?
Why had the Spanish reached such sensitive positions without major fighting?

Gradually, a disturbing conclusion emerged. Many fighters became convinced that betrayal had occurred. They suspected that individuals within Beni Leit had guided the enemy and deliberately allowed Spanish forces to move through the region unchallenged.

This suspicion profoundly affected the morale and decision-making of the resistance.

Hesitation on the Mountain

Convinced that treachery had taken place, many of the reserve fighters became reluctant to move. Rather than rushing immediately toward the front, they remained gathered on the slopes of the mountain.

The possibility that hostile elements might be operating among neighboring tribes created confusion and uncertainty. The Mujahideen feared walking into an ambush. As a result, valuable hours were lost while fighters attempted to assess the situation and determine whom they could trust.

The Spanish offensive continued to gain momentum during this period of hesitation.

The Morning Advance

At dawn the following day, the reserve forces finally began moving. Different groups attempted to establish contact with one another and coordinate their actions. Their objective was to reunite and launch a more organized defense against the advancing Spanish troops.

However, the delay had already provided the enemy with a significant advantage. Spanish units had strengthened their positions and consolidated their gains. The defenders were now confronting a more difficult battlefield than the one they had expected only a day earlier.

The Sound of Gunfire

As the day progressed, gunfire echoed through the mountains surrounding the shrine. The clash between the colonial forces and the Mujahideen intensified.

By sunset, it had become increasingly clear that the resistance was facing overwhelming pressure. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Mujahideen sent a message proposing surrender negotiations to the opposing commander.

The decision reflected the desperate circumstances confronting the defenders rather than any lack of courage. Many had fought continuously for years and understood that further bloodshed might bring little strategic benefit.

Negotiations with the Spanish Commander

The negotiations involved Spanish forces stationed at a position identified in the account as Karkash. Representatives from both sides met and discussed terms.

The Spanish commander accepted the proposal, and arrangements were made to cease hostilities. Weapons were laid down, and the confrontation came to an end.

What had begun as a determined effort to defend one of the most sacred and symbolically important locations in the Jbala region concluded not with a final victorious charge, but with exhaustion, isolation, and the consequences of internal division.

A Year of Detention

Following the surrender, the participants were brought before the colonial authorities. The judicial process that followed resulted in the detention of those involved.

According to the account, both sides remained under legal supervision for approximately a year until the authorities eventually issued their judgment. The episode marked the effective end of organized military resistance around the shrine of Moulay Abdessalam.

Historical Significance

The events surrounding the alleged betrayal of Beni Leit illustrate one of the recurring realities of colonial warfare in Morocco.

Military superiority alone rarely determined the outcome of campaigns. Intelligence gathering, local alliances, tribal rivalries, and political calculations often proved equally decisive.

For the defenders of Jabal al-Alam, the greatest blow was not necessarily the strength of the Spanish army itself, but the belief that trusted neighbors had revealed their positions and opened the way for the enemy.

Whether remembered as a confirmed act of treason or as a deeply contested episode in local memory, the story remains a powerful reminder of how internal divisions could undermine even the most determined resistance movements.

Conclusion

The fall of the Mujahideen positions around the shrine of Moulay Abdessalam was more than a local military defeat. It symbolized the gradual erosion of the resistance networks that had long protected the mountains of Jbala from colonial domination.

The defenders fought in one of the most sacred landscapes of northern Morocco, convinced that they were safeguarding both their homeland and their spiritual heritage. Yet in the end, suspicion, division, and the manipulation of local loyalties proved as dangerous as enemy rifles and artillery.

Thus ended one of the final chapters in the struggle for Jabal al-Alam—a chapter remembered not only for bravery and sacrifice, but also for the tragic consequences of betrayal from within

In the end, betrayal from within remains the deepest wound—one that time cannot easily heal. It does more than dismantle defensive lines on a battlefield; it shatters trust and leaves lingering questions in the pages of history. The fall of Jabal al-Alam stands as a timeless reminder that the most formidable enemy is rarely the one facing you from across the valley, but sometimes the one standing beside you. History remembers the bravery of the Mujahideen who fought to the last, but it also bears permanent witness to the tragic truth that even the strongest fortresses can fall when the gates are opened from within.

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أرشيف الطاهر اللهيوي | الذاكرة التاريخية Taher Lhioui Archive | Historical Memory