Muhammad Ibn 'Abd al-Karim al-Khattabi

Muhammad Ibn 'Abd al-Karim al-Khattabi was a Moroccan political and military leader who led a large-scale revolt against French and Spanish colonization of the Rif region in Morocco. He and his brother M'Hammad established the Republic of the Rif, a self-governing state that existed from 1921 to 1926. He is widely regarded as a national hero in Morocco and a symbol of anti-colonialism and resistance in the Arab world. He was also a scholar, judge, and writer who advocated for Arab nationalism and pan-Islamism. Abd al-Karim was born in Ajdir, a village in the Rif mountains, to a family of qadis (Islamic judges) who claimed descent from an ancient Arab tribe. He received a traditional education in local schools and later studied at the University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fez, the oldest institution of higher education in the world. He also learned Spanish and worked as a teacher, translator, and journalist for the Spanish colonial administration in Melilla. In 1915, he resigned from his position and returned to Ajdir, where he became involved in the local politics and tribal affairs of the Rif. He opposed the Spanish expansion into the region and organized a coalition of Riffian tribes to resist the colonial forces. In 1921, he led a surprise attack on the Spanish army at the Battle of Annual, inflicting a crushing defeat and capturing a large amount of weapons and supplies. He then declared the independence of the Republic of the Rif, a state that encompassed most of the Rif and parts of eastern Morocco. He became the president and commander-in-chief of the republic, and introduced a number of reforms, such as abolishing slavery, promoting education, and establishing a modern army. Abd al-Karim's success attracted the attention and hostility of France, which had a protectorate over most of Morocco. In 1925, France and Spain formed a joint military alliance to crush the Riffian rebellion. They launched a massive offensive, using aerial bombardment, chemical weapons, and tens of thousands of troops. Abd al-Karim and his army fought bravely, but were outnumbered and outgunned. After a series of battles and sieges, he was forced to surrender in 1926. He was exiled to the island of Réunion, where he remained until 1947. He was then allowed to move to France, where he continued to advocate for Moroccan independence and Arab unity. In 1956, he moved to Cairo, where he was welcomed by President Gamal Abdel Nasser and other Arab leaders. He died in 1963 and was buried in Al-Basatin Cemetery. His legacy is honored by many monuments, streets, and institutions named after him in Morocco and other countries.