Kert campaign
Military conflict between Spain and Riffian rebels
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Kert campaign (Spanish: campaña del Kert) was a conflict in northern Morocco between Spain and insurgent Riffian harkas led by Mohammed Ameziane, who had called for a jihad against the Spanish occupation in the eastern Rif. It took place between 1911 and 1912.
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changes Consolidation of the Spanish-controlled territory in Kelaïa east of the Kert River
| Kert Campaign | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Spanish-Moroccan conflicts and Scramble for Africa | |||||||||
Spanish camp near the Kert River in October 1911. | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
 Spain |
 Riffian tribes | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
|
José García Aldave Agustín Luque Dámaso Berenguer Salvador Díaz † |
Mohammed Ameziane † Mohammed Bourahail  Hajj Amar Metalsi | ||||||||
| Units involved | |||||||||
|
Spanish Army Regulares | Riffian harkas | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
|
500 killed 1,900 wounded | Unknown | ||||||||
History
The campaign saw the introduction of the tropas regulares indígenas ("native regular troops"), created by Dámaso Berenguer on 30 June 1911.
The campaign followed a revolt initiated by Mohammed Ameziane, caïd of Segangan, who had called for a jihad and had attacked both Spanish and tribes friendly to them.[1][2] After an attack on a group of Spanish military personnel undertaking topographic works at a position near Ishafen (near the river Kert) the Spanish campaign formally started on 24 August.[3] A Spanish column had been however already shot on 30 June.[4]
Following a visit to Melilla, Spanish War Minister Agustín Luque took control of the operations on 7 October, and the struggles brought numerous losses to both sides, 64 death and 204 wounded on the Spanish side.[5] On 14 October 1911 General Salvador Díaz Ordóñez was killed in action and a column commanded by General Navarro had 33 deaths and 105 wounded.[5]
The Spanish forces took the position of Al Aaroui (Monte Arruit) on 18 January 1912.[6]
The Spanish ended the campaign following the killing of Ameziane by native regulares on 15 May 1912.[1][7] Si Mohammed Bourhayl replaced him but surrendered soon after.[8] The Spanish losses by that time amounted to about 500 killed and 1,900 wounded.[9] The Spanish control line was extended to the Kert River and the new boundaries for the Spanish-occupied territory entailed the annexation of the Berber cabiles of Aith Sidel and Aith Bouyafar.[10]