30/05/2026
In commemoration of 100 years after the surrender of Abdelkrim the French army.
Source: From the fb wall of Jamal Kattabi in Arabic. See also comments. Translation: Bades.
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I will republish this post, accompanied by the attached photograph, with updates and by adding the names of two individuals appearing in the image. This photograph documents a pivotal moment in the history of the Rif and the global liberation movement: the capture/surrender of Abdelkrim.
As of 27 May 2026, exactly 100 years have passed since this photograph was taken in Targuist. As the image suggests, these officers appear to feel a sense of pride as they pose for a commemorative photograph with this “savage fighter,” as some media outlets referred to him at the time. To Abdelkrim’s left stands Colonel Corap, leaning on his cane, with signs of exhaustion visible on his face. Between them is Lieutenant Delagouzière. To Abdelkrim’s right stands Lieutenant Martini, who appears astonished, as though he could hardly believe the moment. To Martini’s right is Captain Saufran, and directly behind him is Lieutenant Bouchier. On the far left is M’hamed El Khattabi (Chief of Staff of the Rif Army). It should also be noted that the person standing between Abdelkrim and Lieutenant Martini is Abdelkrim Benziane.
When the Spanish learned that Abdelkrim had fallen into French hands, many gathered in front of the royal palace in Madrid, demanding that he be handed over to Spain for punishment. Spaniards in general, along with their military establishment, felt humiliated once again because Abdelkrim remained steadfast in his position and refused to deal with them. Some Spanish media outlets even called on these French officers and the French press in general to give Spain its due recognition, arguing that the victory had been a joint achievement rather than a French one alone.
To test whether the French military institution truly considered it a joint victory, the Spanish Army Command in Melilla contacted the French Army Command in Taza to inform them that Spanish intelligence officers were on their way from Melilla to Taza to interrogate Abdelkrim regarding certain “crimes” he had allegedly committed against their prisoners, as they described them. In response, the French commander in Taza contacted Resident-General Theodore Steeg and requested instructions. Steeg replied that France would not permit such a move, and he sent his position in writing before Abdelkrim even arrived in Taza. On 29 May, Steeg sent a message to the High Command in Taza stating:
“We have been informed that Spanish officers are on their way to Taza to interrogate Abdelkrim and to meet the 120 Spanish prisoners. We reiterate that sovereignty belongs to the Sultan over both zones, including the Spanish Protectorate (…) Abdelkrim is considered a prisoner of war; we shall preserve his dignity and he will not be subjected to public humiliation.”
Through this brief message, Abdelkrim was, for the first time, officially regarded as a “prisoner of war,” thereby undermining the Spanish position, which classified him as a “war criminal.” Steeg later repeated this position in many of his correspondences while Abdelkrim was in La Réunion. The French stance was not an act of charity, but rather a response to global pressure, as much of the world regarded Abdelkrim as an honorable fighter for freedom.
The forced exile did not affect only the El Khattabi family; it also included many resistance fighters and their relatives. For example, the mujahid Cherif Mohammed Ben Ali El Khemlichi, known as Slitan, and his family were exiled to the city of Azemmour. Slitan was among the leaders of the Sanhaja Srayr and served as Abdelkrim’s right-hand man on the western front. He and 26 members of his family were exiled after the Spanish authorities refused to grant them asylum in Ouezzane, despite the fact that Ouezzane was under French control.
Abdelkrim possessed remarkable resilience and endurance. He did not break despite the harshness of exile, separation from his homeland, the climate, and the epidemics on the island of La Réunion.
Photograph from the French military archives.
