Spain's African Enclaves: Melilla and the Rif War

This episode of The Story of Spain turns to the contested territories of North Africa, focusing on the city of Melilla and the brutal Rif War (1921–1927). Lucas and Luna explore how Spain's presence in Morocco dates back to the 15th century, the strategic importance of the presidios, the disaster at Annual where thousands of Spanish soldiers were killed by Rifian forces under Abd el-Krim, and the controversial legacy of Spanish colonialism in Africa. They discuss the role of Spanish conscripts, the use of chemical weapons, and the cultural blending that characterizes Melilla today. A specific focus on the Battle of Annual and its aftermath provides a fresh angle not covered in previous episodes. #Spain #Melilla #RifWar #AbdElKrim #Annual #SpanishColonialism #Morocco #Presidios #20thCentury #SpanishHistory #BattleOfAnnual #ChemicalWeapons #AlfonsoXIII #FranciscoFranco #NorthAfrica #Decolonization #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo