After the major defeat at Annual, the prime minister and the military dictator, Miguel Primo de Rivera, decided to withdraw his troops to the coast of Morocco.

In the year 1921, the Spanish army suffered a crushing defeat at the Battle of Annual by the Rif forces of Abd el-Krim.

[3] In 1923, the Spanish general Miguel Primo de Rivera launched a coup and took power as a prime minister, establishing a military dictatorship.

A column from Larache was supposed to arrive but it never did, as soon as they marched, they were attacked by unaffiliated Riffians, causing them heavy losses, and retreated.

[8] The relief force of Tetuan consisted of three flanks, the left was led by Castro Girona, the middle by Colonel Ovila, and the right by General Serrano.

[10][1] The Spanish had to fight their way while Castro's advanced guard was lucky to reach the reserve station at Beni Karrich.

[10] At Wad Nakhla, three armored vehicles were covering the retreat, they were ambushed and held for three days, after that only 6 soldiers out of 14 survived and were taken prisoners, where they were admired by Abd el-Krim for their bravery.

[11][1] The retreat from Chefchaoun was a disaster for the Spanish, the Arab and the Berber tribes were united under Abd el-Krim's leadership, the prestige of the Riffians went high, and the rebellion was running at full tide.

The capture of Chefchaoun and the partial destruction of the relief force gave the Riffians a large number of weapons and supplies.