Mohamed Amezian

Cherif Mohamed Amezian was a revered religious leader of the Qadiriyya brotherhood in the eastern Rif near Nador. When Spanish mining companies began penetrating the Guelaya territory in 1909 backed by imperial troops, he declared a holy war of resistance.

At the Battle of Barranco del Lobo in July 1909, his tribal warriors routed an entire Spanish division under General Pintos. For three relentless years, he held off modern artillery and gunboats until falling in combat on May 15, 1912, paving the way for Abdelkrim al-Khattabi.