The Kert campaign (Spanish: campaña del Kert) was a conflict in northern Morocco between Spain and insurgent Riffian harkas led by Mohammed Ameziane, who had called for a jihad against the Spanish occupation in the eastern Rif. It took place between 1911 and 1912.
The campaign followed a revolt initiated by Mohammed Ameziane, caïd of Segangan, who had called for a jihad and had attacked both Spanish and tribes friendly to them.[1][2] After an attack on a group of Spanish military personnel undertaking topographic works at a position near Ishafen (near the river Kert) the Spanish campaign formally started on 24 August.[3] A Spanish column had been however already shot on 30 June.[4]
Spanish convoy heading for Imaroufene
Following a visit to Melilla, Spanish War Minister Agustín Luque took control of the operations on 7 October, and the struggles brought numerous losses to both sides, 64 death and 204 wounded on the Spanish side.[5] On 14 October 1911 General Salvador Díaz Ordóñez was killed in action and a column commanded by General Navarro [es] had 33 deaths and 105 wounded.[5]
The Spanish forces took the position of Al Aaroui (Monte Arruit) on 18 January 1912.[6]
The Spanish ended the campaign following the killing of Ameziane by native regulares on 15 May 1912.[1][7] The Spanish losses by that time amounted to about 500 killed and 1,900 wounded.[8] The Spanish control line was extended to the Kert River and the new boundaries for the Spanish-occupied territory entailed the annexation of the Berber cabiles of Ait Sidel and Ait Bu-Gafar.[9]