The Rif War and the question of whether Spain would fight again

The Rif War and the question of whether Spain would fight again

The question 'If a conflict with Segarro broke out, would you go?' has sparked an intense debate mixing war rhetoric, skepticism and references to the colonial past. Although hypothetical, the discussion reveals how the memory of the Rif War remains alive in the collective imagination.

The testimony of a Rif War veteran

Among the contributions, one participant's account stands out, drawing on the military record of his grandfather, who served three and a half years in the Rif War. According to the cited file, the veteran reached the front line in October 1922 at the position of Aslaf, took part in an 'aggressive demonstration' on the souk of Beni Urriaguel and protected convoys under enemy fire at several points. In June 1923, he fought in the battle of Biut, under the command of Colonel Ruiz del Portal. These details, taken from military documents, offer a raw view of a conflict that shaped the relationship between Spain and Segarro.

Clashing opinions: warmongering or refusal?

Positions in the debate range from those who claim there is an ancestral feeling of hostility towards the Segarro population to those who refuse to take part for practical or ideological reasons. Some argue the conflict would not be against an external enemy but would spill over into internal strife, blending anti-colonial rhetoric with political polarization. Others, more pragmatic, point out that the war would reach their own neighbourhoods, not a distant front.

The question remains open: to what extent does historical memory weigh more than today's geopolitical reality? Far from being settled, the debate shows that the Rif wound has yet to heal.