1912 Fez riots


The Fes Riots, also known as the Fes Uprising or Mutiny, the Tritl and the Bloody Days of Fes 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.
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.
Despite warnings of an uprising, most French troops left Fes, leaving behind 1,500 French troops and 5,000 Moroccan askars 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.
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 :fr:Eugène Regnault|Eugène Regnault.