Rebel Successes In Spanish Morocco

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28446, 28 November 1957, Page 15

Rebel Successes In Spanish Morocco

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) RABAT, November 26. Moroccan guerrillas have captured the capital of Ifni, a Spanish enclave in Southern Morocco, where fighting has been going on since the week-end, the Government newspaper, “Al Alam,” said today. The newspaper is the main source in Rabat for news of clashes in Ifni, on the Atlantic coast of North Africa, between Spanish troops and Moroccans of the self-styled “Army of Liberation.” Today’s report said the town and aerodrome of Sidi Igni, the capital of the enclave, had been taken by “liberation fighters.”

Reports last night said guerrillas had killed about 10 of the Spanish garrison.

But in Madrid, a usually reliable source said four Spaniards had been killed and 19 injured in the fighting. The Spanish source said the attackers suffered 80 casualties.

Morocco yesterday recalled her Ambassador from Madrid for consultations. “Al Alam” said that three Spanish posts, attacked on Saturday, had also been taken. It said the fiercest fight, which lasted more than 10 hours, was for the post of Taberqoq. This post appears to be in the central plain of the enclave.

The two other posts taken were Tilouine, in the south of the enclave, which surrendered after six hours’ fighting, and Tleta Des Sbouyas, in the south centre, which fell during Saturday afternoon, “Al Alam” said. The American Associated Press reported from Madrid today that all Spanish aircraft based on an airfield outside Madrid had been moved to Sidi Ifni after the weekend battles with Moroccan rebels. The agency quoted informed military circles for its information. in the fighting for Tilouine, five of the Spanish post, were killed, several wounded and numerous officers and men of the Spanish troops gave themselves up, “Al Alam” said.

It said that other posts attacked on Saturday were still holding out, although several were encircled.

It also said that 15 Spanish aircraft had come to the support of the garrisons. In Madrid officials said there was no truth in the report that guerrillas had captured the capital of Ifni. “This news can be dismissed as sheer fantasy,” an official said.