1912 Fez riots

The Fes Riots, also known as the Fes Uprising or Mutiny (from Arabic: انتفاضة فاس‎, Intifadat Fes), the Tritl (Hebrew: התריתל‎, among the Jewish community) and the Bloody Days of Fes (from French: Les Journées Sanglantes de Fès) were riots which started April 17, 1912 in Fes, then the capital of Morocco, when French officers announced the measures of the Treaty of Fes, which created the French protectorate in Morocco.[1]

Fes, following the events of 17 April 1912

Shortly before the riots the population of Fes learnt about the treaty, and in general viewed it as a betrayal by Sultan Abd al-Hafid who had travelled to Rabat to ensure his safety. After the riots he was forced to abdicate in favour of his brother Yusuf.[2]

Despite warnings of an uprising, most French troops left Fes, leaving behind 1,500 French troops and 5,000 Moroccan askars (local colonial infantrymen) commanded by French officers. On the morning of 17 April, the French officers announced the new measures to their askars. Many units immediately mutinied, causing a total loss of control.

The soldiers attacked their French commanders, then left their barracks and attacked the European and Jewish quarters of the city. French artillery shelling was used to force the rebels to surrender, which took place after two days. The death toll included 66 Europeans, 42 Moroccan Jews and some 600 Moroccan Muslims.[3]

The first account of the riot was written by Hubert Jacques, a journalist at Le Matin, and a personal friend of Resident-General Hubert Lyautey. The report was strongly critical of Eugène Regnault.[4]

Bibliography
  • Jacques, Hubert (1913), Les journées sanglantes de Fez, 17-18-19 avril 1912: les massacres ; récits militaires ; responsabilités, Libraririe Chapelot
  • Burke III, Edmund, "The Fez Mutiny and the Revolt of El Hiba", Prelude to Protectorate in Morocco: Pre-Colonial Protest and Resistance, 1860-1912, University of Chicago Press, 2009, ISBN 9780226080840
  • Gershovich, Moshe (2000). "Pre-Colonial Morocco: Demise of the Old Mazhkan". French Military Rule in Morocco: colonialism and its consequences. Routledge. ISBN 0-7146-4949-X.

References
  1. Mohammed Kenbib. "Fez Riots (1912)." Encyclopedia of Jews in the Islamic World. Executive Editor Norman A. Stillman. Brill Online, 2014
  2. Gershovich 2000, p. 56.
  3. Gershovich 2000, p. 57: "The result was a total loss of control by the French instructors over some units which turned into an anarchic, violent mob. The mutineers attacked their French commanders and then spread to the streets of Fez in search of any European they could find. The Jewish quarter (mellah) was leveled before order was restored on 19 April when French artillery shelled the centers of resistance and forced the rebels to surrender. The toll of casualties included 66 Europeans, 42 Jews and some 600 Moroccans killed."
  4. French Military Rule in Morocco: Colonialism and its Consequences, Moshe Gershovich, p.62
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