Rif War

On 10 August 1922, French forces launched an attack toward Taounza, with the objective of securing the Amekrane valley and pushing Rifian forces back toward the north. The battle, fiercely contested, opposed well-equipped French troops confronted with difficult terrain to tenacious Rifian units, perfectly established on the heights. After violent positional fighting, the French succeeded in taking the ridges at nightfall. It was one of the first notable tactical successes since the beginning of Franco-Rifian clashes.

On 15 May 1922, the French army launched an offensive against Rifian positions held on the heights of Tizi N'Tirghist. This was an operation intended to regain the initiative and secure communication routes between French mandate zones. The engagement took place in extremely steep terrain, favourable to Rifian defenders. Despite the commitment of aviation and artillery, French troops struggled to advance. The combat bogged down and, after several days of Rifian resistance, the position remained contested.

On 7 September 1923, French forces attacked the heights of Beni Bou Yahi, a strategic tribal zone linking the eastern Rif to the Alhucemas massif. The offensive aimed to disorganise Abdelkrim's logistical rear before a major operation planned for the following year. Fighting was violent, with fierce Rifian resistance in relief extremely favourable to defenders. French firepower, notably artillery and aerial bombardment, finally forced Rifian fighters to abandon their positions.

On 17 February 1923, French troops launched an offensive toward the Tamasint massif in order to break Rifian lines threatening the Ketama road. The operation, carefully prepared, was one of the most structured since the beginning of the conflict. The assault met fierce defence, but superiority of fire and decisive use of artillery enabled the French to win an important tactical victory. The battle secured the southern flank of French penetration into the Rif.

On 19 May 1924, French troops launched a vast offensive against the fortified positions of El Hammam, in the heart of the western Rif. This battle formed part of the plan to encircle Abdelkrim from the south and west. After massive artillery preparation and targeted aerial bombardment, French shock units advanced through rugged gorges and slopes. Despite fierce Rifian defence, the line gave way at the end of the day. The French victory at El Hammam marks a turning point in the Rif War.

The battle of Ajdir, capital of the Republic of the Rif, took place from 23 to 25 October 1925. It was the culmination of the combined Franco-Spanish offensive engaged since the Alhucemas landing. Ajdir, political, military, and symbolic centre of the Rifian movement, was defended fiercely by Abdelkrim's troops. After methodical encirclement, French and Spanish troops took the town, signing the end of organised resistance in the central Rif. It was the last great offensive battle of the Rif War.

From 8 to 13 September 1925, French and Spanish forces carried out a massive amphibious landing in the bay of Alhucemas, political and symbolic heart of the Republic of the Rif. The objective was to break Abdelkrim's centre of gravity. This unprecedented operation for the period combined naval, air, and land attack. After intense bombardment, Spanish troops gained a foothold on the beaches under cover of French artillery. Aviation bombed Rifian positions in depth. The success of the landing totally disorganised the Rifian front.

From 13 to 16 April 1926, French troops launched a major operation on Targuist, last active command centre of Abdelkrim in the central Rif. This battle followed the fall of Ajdir and the collapse of the Rifian defensive system. Fighting, very violent, was conducted in the enclosed valleys of the Rif, where elite Rifian troops offered fierce resistance. French aviation and tanks played a decisive role. The capture of Targuist opened the way to Abdelkrim's surrender a few weeks later.