Spain took advantage of
Bou Hmara's rebellion in addition to the anarchy that prevailed in the eastern region and the enmity which existed between the tribes. During February and March 1909 it managed to occupy
Kariat Arekmane and
Ras El Ma, then it resumed the building of the railway and the exploitation of the mines. It also benefited from the growing influence of its allies in the region, and supported them with equipment and money, which the tribes used to support Spanish incursions openly and even tried to convince notables and tribes of the advantages of the Spanish incursions. Amezian opposed the Spanish invasion and refused all offers by general
José Marina Vega, the military governor of Melilla. After meeting raffian tribes, accompanied by Alfeqih Mohamed Hado Alazouzi, he started to resist the Spanish. He had to wait until the end of the agricultural season to attack Sidi Mosa on 9 July 1909, ending the hesitation of the tribes. Following a shutdown of railway construction, building works resumed and, on 9 July, Ameziane instigated a party of Riffians to attack a group of 13 Spanish workers, killing and slitting the throats of 4 of them and wounding 3. On 18 July, about 5,000 Riffians advanced on Sidi Hamet el Hach and were repelled by the Spanish. Ensuing confrontations in
los Lavaderos and Sidi Musa followed on 23 July. This defeat did not deter the Spanish, which attacked with more than 40,000 soldiers under the leadership of three generals (Alfaro, Tobar and Miralis), but met another defeat on 20 September in Ijdyawen, the territory of ait chigar tribe.
Riffian resistance The organization of the Riffian resistance in this period was marked by great precision, each of the tribes devoted a number of its men to remain permanently stationed in the stronghold of the Imjahden. Each tribe was free to organize, rotate its men and provide munitions. The men in the stronghold would light
warning beacons at night upon perceiving signs of hostile attacks, so that all tribes would be aware and rush into the battle to join the imjahden's front lines.
Change in Spanish military strategy Spain learned from its defeats in the autumn and summer of 1909, and waited until the end of the ploughing season to change its military strategy, focusing on peaceful penetration, targeting weaker tribes nearby Melilia and pouring money and trade privileges on them. Spain moved to a dangerous step when it intensified the recruitment of locals, so as to benefit from their experience and accurate knowledge of the topography of the region. The recruited locals played the role of human shields in the front lines of the Spanish troops. This led to the disheartening of many Riffian imjahden fighters from central Rif, especially the Ait waryaghels, who left their strongholds, accusing the tribe of Aqqliat of treachery. Moreover, the influence exerted by the Spanish within the tribes was detrimental to Riffian resistance, with spies providing the Spanish intelligence and implementing their plans to stir up disagreements and clashes between Imjahden members and their families, and also between those tribesmen recruited in the Spanish army. Whoever stands in the way of the Spaniards risked the death penalty. Many inhabitants were compelled to join the Spanish army, which provided a uniform and guns as symbols of power. As a result, Spain occupied the Bouarek plain and the region between Azghenghen and Elhociema, in addition to Nador and Selouan. Nevertheless, the Imjahden were able to inflict many defeats on the Spanish army.
Ameziane's retreat Under these conditions Mohamed Ameziane retreated to Aitbouifrour and established a new stronghold in Souq Aljouma in Amaworo. Confrontations abated in late 1909 to 1911, while he kept refusing all offers by Spain. After he refused huge sums of money while the protectorate was negotiated, he was suggested as the representative of Spain for the Moroccan Sultan, which he declined. ==Final battles and death==