During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), General Francisco Franco relied heavily on Moroccan colonial troops, known as the Regulares, to bolster his Nationalist forces. These soldiers, recruited from Spain's protectorate in northern Morocco, were a key component of Franco's Army of Africa and were among his most effective fighters.
Historians estimate that around 80,000 Moroccan soldiers served on the Nationalist side during the conflict. They were often deployed in brutal frontline assaults, such as the Siege of Madrid and the Battle of the Ebro, where their combat experience and discipline proved decisive. The use of Moroccan troops was controversial, as they were sometimes associated with atrocities against Republican civilians, though such claims remain debated among scholars.
After Franco's victory in 1939, many Moroccan soldiers returned to Morocco, where they were largely forgotten by the Spanish state. In recent years, historians have sought to document their experiences, highlighting the complex legacy of colonial troops in European conflicts. The role of the Regulares remains a sensitive topic in both Spain and Morocco, reflecting broader issues of colonialism and memory.
