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| Regulares de Melilla | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | Regulares de Melilla |
| Country | Spain |
| Branch | Spanish Army |
| Type | Light infantry |
| Role | Security, counterinsurgency |
| Garrison | Melilla |
| Battles | Rif War, Spanish Civil War, Ifni War, Western Sahara conflict |
Regulares de Melilla are a series of Spanish Army infantry units recruited largely from local populations in Melilla, structured for light infantry and local security duties. Originating in the early 20th century, they have operated across Rif War, Spanish Civil War, Ifni War and post‑colonial deployments, interacting with Spanish institutions such as the Ministry of Defence (Spain) and formations including the Army of Africa. Their history connects to personalities and entities like Francisco Franco, Miguel Primo de Rivera, King Alfonso XIII, Antonio Cánovas del Castillo and units such as the Tercio and Legión Española.
The formation arose amid the late 19th‑century colonial context involving Spain–Morocco relations, the Treaty of Wad Ras, and the aftermath of the Spanish–American War. Early operations were tied to campaigns in the Rif War against leaders like Muhammad Ibn 'Abd al‑Krim and engagements such as the Battle of Annual. Leadership figures included officers associated with Francisco Franco, José Millán Astray, and ministers from the cabinets of Antonio Maura and Gabriel Maura Gamazo. In the 1920s and 1930s Regulares served alongside the Legión Española during political crises involving the Primo de Rivera dictatorship, the Second Spanish Republic, and the Spanish Civil War, aligning with Nationalist forces under commanders like Emilio Mola and participating in operations across provinces including Seville, Granada, and Madrid. Postwar deployments saw units in colonial conflicts such as the Ifni War against Sahrawi nationalist groups, and later roles in the Western Sahara conflict and Cold War era security arrangements engaging entities like Morocco and international actors including United Nations missions. In democratic Spain, Regulares have been professionalized under reforms by José María Aznar and Pedro Sánchez administrations and have been integrated within NATO frameworks and Spanish territorial defense via coordination with the Ceuta and Melilla garrisons.
Regulares units are organized into groups and companies modeled on Spanish Army tables of organization, linked administratively to commands like the Tercio Alejandro Farnesio and brigades such as the Brigada Canarias XVI and Brigada "Guzmán el Bueno" X. Their chain of command interfaces with the General Staff of the Spanish Army and units including the Cruz Roja Española in civil support roles. Composition historically included Moroccan personnel from regions such as Rif, Tetouan, and Taza with Spanish officers often from academies like the Academia General Militar. Subunits have carried numerical designations mirroring structures like the Regimiento de Infantería and maintain support from services including the Inspector General del Ejército and logistical elements of the Dirección General de Armamento y Material. The garrison at Melilla coordinates with local institutions such as the City Council of Melilla and security forces like the Guardia Civil and Policía Nacional.
Uniform elements trace influences from Spanish Army (18th century), North African attire, and symbols associated with units like the Legión Española. Distinctive items have included the white fez, known in Spanish tercios as the "tarbuch", jackets influenced by Spanish military uniform 1915, and cap badges reflecting heraldry from House of Bourbon and regional emblems of Melilla. Insignia have incorporated motifs referencing campaigns such as the Rif War and anniversaries recognized by orders like the Order of Military Merit (Spain), with rank devices paralleling those used by the Spanish Army officer ranks and NCO chevrons consistent with Ejército de Tierra regulations. Ceremonial dress has been documented alongside units like the Regimiento de Caballería and features parades in plazas such as Plaza de España (Melilla).
Operational roles include light infantry patrolling, border security around Melilla, counterinsurgency actions historically in Spanish Morocco and Ifni, and peacekeeping contributions under NATO or United Nations auspices. They have worked in coordination with Spanish formations such as the Mando de Operaciones and multinational partners including contingents from France, Morocco, and Portugal during joint exercises and stability operations. Tasks have ranged from internal security during episodes like the Spanish transition to democracy to overseas deployments influenced by policy from the Ministry of Defence (Spain) and strategic directives from the Council of Ministers (Spain).
Recruitment historically drew on local populations in Melilla and neighboring regions, often leveraging customary structures and contacts with tribal leaders and urban elites in places like Tetouan and Nador. Training has been provided at establishments including the Academia de Infantería de Toledo and regional training centers associated with the Ejército de Tierra, incorporating doctrine from manuals used by the NATO and Spanish counterinsurgency practices developed during campaigns like the Ifni War. Reforms in professionalization paralleled Spanish military modernization programs under defense ministers from parties such as the Partido Popular and the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party. Language training in Arabic and cultural liaison skills have been emphasized alongside weapons instruction consistent with equipment sourced via the Dirección General de Armamento y Material.
Units participated in the Rif War and major actions including the Battle of Annual, served extensively in the Spanish Civil War in fronts such as Badajoz and Guadalajara, and took part in the Ifni War operations in Sidi Ifni and Tiznit. Later deployments involved security in Western Sahara and contributions to international missions coordinated with the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara and NATO exercises with partners including France and United Kingdom. They have also provided internal security during events like labor unrest in Seville and civil disturbances during the Transition (Spain), cooperating with security services such as the Guardia Civil.
Controversies have arisen over conduct during colonial campaigns, incidents in the Rif War and the Spanish Civil War, and allegations of abuses during operations in Ifni and Western Sahara. Human rights organizations and international bodies including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have documented concerns about treatment of civilians in certain historical episodes, prompting debates in institutions like the Cortes Generales and inquiries involving legal bodies such as the Audiencia Nacional. Reforms and oversight measures have involved the Ministry of Justice (Spain), the Defensor del Pueblo (Spain), and changes in military justice under Spanish laws such as the Ley Orgánica del Poder Judicial to align conduct with international obligations from treaties like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and conventions of the Geneva Conventions.
Category:Military units and formations of Spain Category:Melilla