Mohammed Ameziane facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mohammed Ameziane
Prince of the Rif
Amghar of the Rif Tribes
Reign	1859 – 15 May 1912
Successor	Interlude (Spanish protectorate in Morocco)
Born	Sidi Mohammed Ameziane of the Rif 1859 Segangan, Rif
Died	15 May 1912 Mausoleum of the Prince of the Rif, Segangan, Rif
Issue	1
House	Aït Bouyfrur-Akandouch
Religion	Sunni Islam
Military career
Allegiance	Rif Tribes
Battles/wars	Second Melillan campaign (1909) Kert campaign (1911–1912)

Amghar Mohammed Ameziane, Prince of the Rif (in Tamazight: ⴰⵎⵖⴰⵔ ⵎⵓⵃⴰⵏⴷ ⴰⵎⵥⵢⴰⵏ), also known as El Mizzian by the Spanish, was an important leader in the Rif region of Morocco. He was the last tribal monarch, or Amghar, of the Rif Tribes. He led the Riffian people in their fight against Spanish colonization.

Early Life and Education

Mohammed Ameziane was born in 1859, or possibly 1860, in Segangan, a town in the Rif region. These years were around the time of the Tetouan War, where Spain won against Morocco.

He studied the Qur'an at a religious school in his hometown. His father led this school. Later, between 1887 and 1891, he went to the Al-Qaraouiyin mosque in Fes to continue his education.

After finishing his studies, he returned to Segangan. Instead of just staying at the school, he became a trader. He moved goods like cows and other animals between the Rif and Algeria.

Standing Up to Bou Hmara

Around 1907, a leader named Bou Hmara allowed Spanish companies to dig for minerals in the Rif. Mohammed Ameziane strongly disagreed with this.

Bou Hmara tried to arrest Ameziane in early 1907, but Ameziane escaped. He found safety with the Moroccan army near Melilla. Ameziane even fought alongside these soldiers against Bou Hmara's rebellion.

However, Bou Hmara's forces defeated the Moroccan army in 1907. Ameziane and the remaining soldiers then sought refuge in Melilla in early 1908.

While Bou Hmara controlled the eastern Rif, he let Spanish and French companies mine for iron and lead. They also planned to build railways to Melilla. But after Bou Hmara was defeated by the Ait Waryaghel tribe, Ameziane returned.

In October 1908, the eastern Riffian tribes chose Mohammed Ameziane as their new leader. They stopped the railway projects and mining operations. Bou Hmara, without enough Spanish support, was forced out of the area by late 1908.

Fighting Against Spain

Spain saw an opportunity in the chaos caused by Bou Hmara's rebellion. They also noticed the disagreements among the Riffian tribes. In February and March 1909, Spain took control of Kariat Arekmane and Ras El Ma. They then restarted building the railway and mining.

Spain also gained influence by giving money and weapons to their allies in the region. These allies openly supported Spain and tried to convince other tribes to accept the Spanish presence.

Mohammed Ameziane firmly opposed the Spanish invasion. He refused all offers from General José Marina Vega, the military governor of Melilla. Ameziane met with Riffian tribes to discuss resistance.

He waited until the farming season ended and people returned from Algeria. On July 9, 1909, he showed his opposition by attacking Sidi Mosa. This attack ended any doubts among the tribes about fighting back.

After a pause, railway construction restarted. On July 9, Ameziane encouraged a group of Riffians to attack 13 Spanish workers. Four workers were killed and three were wounded. This attack led General Marina Vega to retaliate, starting the Second Melillan campaign.

Spanish Challenges

The Spanish army in Melilla was small and not ready for the July 1909 attacks. The Spanish government had to call for more soldiers from mainland Spain. These new recruits were not well-trained. Spanish officers also used old tactics and did not know the local area well. This made the soldiers' spirits very low.

On July 18, about 5,000 Riffians attacked a Spanish position. The Spanish fought them off. The Riffians attacked again that night, losing 300 men. The Spanish lost 12 soldiers and had 22 wounded. More fights happened on July 23.

A big defeat for Spain happened on July 27, 1909, at the battle of "Aghazar n Ouchen," also known as Barranco del Lobo (Wolf's Ravine). This was 4 kilometers from Melilla. In this battle, 17 Spanish officers, including General Guillermo Pintos, and 136 soldiers were killed. Another 599 were wounded.

Despite this loss, the Spanish army continued to attack with over 40,000 soldiers. But on September 20, 1909, they faced another defeat in Ijdyawen. The Riffian "Imjahden" (resistance warriors) under Mohammed Ameziane fought with strong will.

Riffian Resistance Efforts

The Riffian resistance was very organized during this time. Each Riffian tribe sent some of its men to stay permanently in the Imjahden stronghold. Each tribe could organize its own men and provide them with supplies.

At night, if the men in the stronghold saw signs of an enemy attack, they would light fires. Other tribes would see these fires and light their own, spreading the warning. This way, all tribes would know what was happening and rush to join the Imjahden's front lines.

Spain Changes Its Plan

Spain learned from its defeats in 1909. They waited until the end of the farming season to change their military plan. They focused on peaceful methods to influence weaker tribes near Melilla, offering them money and trade benefits.

Spain also started recruiting local people into their army. They wanted to use the locals' knowledge of the area and their fighting skills. These local recruits often served as human shields at the front of the Spanish troops.

This made many Riffian fighters from central Rif, especially the Ait Waryaghels, lose heart. They left their strongholds, accusing one tribe of being traitors.

Spanish agents also caused problems within the Riffian resistance. They acted as spies, giving information to Spain and causing disagreements among the Imjahden. They also tried to create conflicts between the fighters and their families, and with those who joined the Spanish army.

Anyone who stood against these agents faced the death penalty. Many people were forced to join the Spanish army, which gave them uniforms and guns, symbols of power and protection.

Because of this, Spain took control of the Bouarek plain and the area between Azghenghen and Elhociema, as well as Nador and Selouan. However, the Imjahden still managed to defeat the Spanish army many times, for example, at Dahar Ambochanof.

Ameziane's Retreat

Under these difficult conditions, Mohammed Ameziane moved his base to Aitbouifrour. He set up a new stronghold in Souq Aljouma (Friday market) in Amaworo.

The fighting became less intense from late 1909 to 1911. During these two years, Mohammed Ameziane continued to refuse all offers from Spain. Spain believed that the only way to colonize the Rif was to win over Mohammed Ameziane.

He refused large sums of money, even when negotiations for the protectorate began. He was even offered the chance to represent Spain to the Moroccan Sultan, but he still refused.

Final Battles and Death

Fighting between the Riffian resistance and Spanish forces started again when the resistance attacked a group of soldiers. These soldiers were protecting a Spanish team mapping the land.

The most important battles happened near the Kert river. The resistance caused many deaths and damages to the Spanish army. After September 1911, General Ardonit was killed in battles in Ait Bouifrour.

Small clashes continued until May 14, 1912. Spain planned to take over Azib Allal o Qador. Spies watched Mohammed Ameziane and 700 Imjahden fighters move towards the Bani Sidal tribe. They followed him until he stopped at Tawrirt Kdiya's mosque. Spanish forces were informed and quickly surrounded him.

When Mohammed Ameziane realized he was surrounded, he prayed Al-Fajr. He then gave his companions a choice: fight and die as heroes, or retreat. He and his remaining companions began shooting at the enemy. The local troops within the Spanish army had refused his call to join the Imjahden.

Mohammed Ameziane was killed on May 15, 1912, near Kaddur. A Spanish lieutenant also died in the fight. After their leader died, the remaining Riffian fighters surrendered when General Moltó arrived.

Mohammed Ameziane's body was found wearing traditional clothes and carrying his weapons and a small Quran. His body was taken to a Spanish position and identified by people who knew him. He was then respectfully moved to the mosque in Segangan and buried there.

Titles and Styles

• 1859 – 15 May 1912: His Tribal Highness Amghar Mohammed Ameziane, Prince of the Rif

See also

A robot friend.

In Spanish: El Mizzian para niños