[citation needed] During the domination of Bou hmara over the eastern Rif he authorized two companies, a Spanish and a French one, to exploit the iron and lead mines in Bouifror and build two railway lines connecting them to Melilla.

[7] Spain took advantage of Bou hmara's rebellion in addition to the anarchy that prevailed in eastern region and the enmity which existed between the Riffian 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.

[citation needed] Amezian stood firm in opposing the Spanish invasion and refused all offers and lures given by general José Marina Vega, the military governor of Melilla.

[citation needed] Following a shutdown of the construction of the railway, building works resumed and, on 9 July, Ameziane instigated a party of Riffians (making them believe they would receive support from the neighbouring tribes) to attack a group of 13 Spanish workers, killing and slitting the throats of 4 of them and wounding 3.[8][n.

The limited garrison in Melilla, unable to deal with the July 1909 attacks, forced the Spanish government to call for press gang in the Mainland, with the recruits lacking in military preparation.

[citation needed] 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 in which the focus was on peaceful penetration targeting weaker tribes nearby Melilia and pouring money and trade privileges on them.

This led to the disheartening of many Ruffian imjahden fighters from central Rif, especially the Ait waryaghels, who left their strongholds accusing the tribe of Aqqliat of treachery.

[citation needed] And after he refused huge sums of money in parallel with the beginning of negotiation concerning the protectorate, he was suggested to be the representative of Spain in front of the Moroccan Sultan.

The most important battles took place in the surroundings of Kert river in which resistance inflicted huge human loss and material damages on the Spanish army.

Sporadic clashes continued until 14 May 1912 when Spain targeted the occupation of Azib Allal o Qador, in this operation spies watched the movement of Amezian and 700 Imjahden fighters towards Bani Sidal tribe, they followed his steps until he stopped in Tawrirt Kdiya's mosque, then Spanish forces were informed and rushed to besiege him.