About
Abdelkrim al-Khattabi, born in 1882 in Ajdir (Morocco) and died in 1963 in Cairo, was a Moroccan military leader and politician. Son of a judge, he studied at the Qaraouiyine University in Fez, then worked as a teacher, translator, and journalist in Melilla. After being imprisoned for anti-colonial activities, he led a rebellion against Spain and won the Battle of Annual in 1921. He proclaimed the Republic of the Rif, of which he became president, but was forced to surrender in 1926 to Franco-Spanish forces. Exiled to Réunion, he escaped in 1947 and settled in Egypt, where he chaired the Maghreb Liberation Committee. He is considered a pioneer of modern guerrilla warfare.
* 1882-01-12 — † 1963-02-06
Key milestones
- 1921Wins the Battle of Annual against Spanish forces.
- 1921Proclaims the Republic of the Rif and becomes its president.
- 1926Surrenders to Franco-Spanish forces and is exiled to Réunion.
Themes
Anti-colonial resistanceGuerrilla warfareNationalismMaghreb independenceExile
Sources: id.loc.gov · oxfordreference.com