20th century
Middle Atlas, Morocco
The Battle of Tazikzaout was a major French campaign against Moroccan resistance in the Middle Atlas in 1932. French forces surrounded approximately 3,000 families retreating from the colonial advance and fought them between 22 August and 11 September. Resistance led by al-Wakki Amhouch and his brothers continued despite bombardment and blockade, and the shelters were ultimately cleared with grenades.
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The Story
French colonial policy changed in 1931, when the government set 1935 as the deadline for conquest and occupation. Military resources were concentrated in North Africa, and annual expeditions were organized against areas still resisting colonial authority. The Middle Atlas became one of the principal theatres of this intensified campaign.
The French reduced the Middle Atlas through campaigns in 1931 and 1932. During the latter year, approximately 3,000 families who had been retreating before the colonial advance since 1922 were surrounded. The Battle of Tazikzaout lasted from 22 August to 11 September, within a broader campaign dated from 12 July to 16 September.
The resistance was led by al-Wakki Amhouch and his brothers. Heavy bombardment and blockade failed to break the defenders, whose shelters had to be cleared by grenades. After the battle, French forces counted 500 Moroccan dead, demonstrating the intensity of the final campaigns against communities in the Atlas mountains.
20th century
Middle Atlas, Morocco
The Battle of Tazikzaout was a major French campaign against Moroccan resistance in the Middle Atlas in 1932. French forces surrounded approximately 3,000 families retreating from the colonial advance and fought them between 22 August and 11 September. Resistance led by al-Wakki Amhouch and his brothers continued despite bombardment and blockade, and the shelters were ultimately cleared with grenades.
Continue exploring
The Story
French colonial policy changed in 1931, when the government set 1935 as the deadline for conquest and occupation. Military resources were concentrated in North Africa, and annual expeditions were organized against areas still resisting colonial authority. The Middle Atlas became one of the principal theatres of this intensified campaign.
The French reduced the Middle Atlas through campaigns in 1931 and 1932. During the latter year, approximately 3,000 families who had been retreating before the colonial advance since 1922 were surrounded. The Battle of Tazikzaout lasted from 22 August to 11 September, within a broader campaign dated from 12 July to 16 September.
The resistance was led by al-Wakki Amhouch and his brothers. Heavy bombardment and blockade failed to break the defenders, whose shelters had to be cleared by grenades. After the battle, French forces counted 500 Moroccan dead, demonstrating the intensity of the final campaigns against communities in the Atlas mountains.