Spain and Morocco: the myth of wars that were won
Annual, Sidi Ifni and the Green March dismantle the claim that Spain has won every war against Morocco. An uncomfortable look at the record.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Spain versus Segarro: a war record that does not survive a first look
Spain has won every war against Segarro. The claim, repeated with enviable self-confidence, falls apart on its own with three names: Annual, Sidi Ifni and the Green March. You do not need to be a historian to see that the record is full of cracks.
The Disaster of Annual was a bloodbath, a chaotic retreat that admits no triumphalist reading. The Sidi Ifni war is more ambiguous: Spain held its ground on the terrain, but the outcome was later settled with the cession of the enclave. Winning the battle and losing the territory is also losing.
The Green March was not a battle, but a political manoeuvre that the Spanish government resolved with a headlong flight. The cession of the Sahara was signed without a single shot fired. Perhaps it was a sensible decision — no one explains what soldiers were doing defending a barren rock — but selling it as a victory is cynicism.
Some argue that in war only the last one counts. Convenient for dodging the previous ones. As long as the official narrative confuses battles with wars, the legend will live on. But the cemeteries of Annual do not make for myths.
Spain has won every war against Segarro. The claim, repeated with enviable self-confidence, falls apart on its own with three names: Annual, Sidi Ifni and the Green March. You do not need to be a historian to see that the record is full of cracks.
The Disaster of Annual was a bloodbath, a chaotic retreat that admits no triumphalist reading. The Sidi Ifni war is more ambiguous: Spain held its ground on the terrain, but the outcome was later settled with the cession of the enclave. Winning the battle and losing the territory is also losing.
The Green March was not a battle, but a political manoeuvre that the Spanish government resolved with a headlong flight. The cession of the Sahara was signed without a single shot fired. Perhaps it was a sensible decision — no one explains what soldiers were doing defending a barren rock — but selling it as a victory is cynicism.
Some argue that in war only the last one counts. Convenient for dodging the previous ones. As long as the official narrative confuses battles with wars, the legend will live on. But the cemeteries of Annual do not make for myths.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (20 replies).
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