The Rif War, also called the War of Melilla was fought between Spain and the Spanish and the Moroccan Rif and Jibala tribes.

As an outcome of the Treaty of Fez (1912) Spain had got the lands around Melilla and Ceuta in its possession. In 1920 the Spanish commissioner, General Dámaso Berenguer, decided to conquer the eastern territory from Jibala tribes. This, however, did not succeed and illequipped Spanish troops suffered a momentous defeat against the forces of Abd el-Krim, the leader of the Rif tribes. The Spanish were pushed back and during the following five years occasional battles were fought between the two.

In 1925 events took a new turn as the French joined the war on the side of Spain. Spanish army had adopted much from French foreign legion and as a result Spanish equivalent, Tercio de Extranjeros (Regiment of Foreigners), was formed in 1920. The superior man power soon resolved the course of war in favour to French and Spain. The French troops pushed through from the south while the Spanish fleet secured Alhucemas Bay and began attacking from the north. After one year of bitter resistance Abd el-Krim, the leader of both the tribes, surrendered, and in 1926 the Spanish Sahara was finally retaken.

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References

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Wars of Spain | Rif

Guerra del Rif