The region was dominated by the Rif mountains and their tribes, proving a serious obstacle to Silvestre's forces.

Messages were dispatched from General Navarro, second-in-command to Silvestre, encouraging the garrison fight.

As the battle raged on, and the heat striking the troops, they were forced to drink juice from used pimiento and tomato tins, then vinegar, cologne, and ink, and finally even urine with sugar in it.

They were repelled by machine guns and heavy artillery,[5][6] and the relief column retreated after suffering 152 killed.

[7] Igueriben was captured on the end, and Benitez was killed alongside the majority of his men.