Operation Écouvillon

Operation Écouvillon, also known as Operation Ouragan or Operation Teide, was a joint military operation conducted by France and Spain against the Moroccan Army of Liberation during the Ifni War. The operation took place from 10 to 24 February 1958 in the northern Sahara, which was under Spanish control. Its primary objective was to suppress Saharan resistance and secure Spanish dominance over the territory.

Planned in secrecy, Operation Écouvillon was significant in understanding the broader context of Western Sahara. It occurred within a complex geopolitical landscape, as the operation took place in a strategically significant territory claimed by Spain and various independence movements that had complicated relationships with the newly independent Morocco at the time. The decolonization processes in Algeria and Mauritania further complicated the political context. Additionally, many insurgents from the Moroccan Army of Liberation received support from members of the Berber peoples and tribes in the Sahel region.

The Franco-Spanish operation was deemed successful, with Spain retaining control over the Spanish Sahara. France was able to further its interests in the region and temporarily gain the support of the Reguibat tribe. Another outcome of the operation was Spain's return of Tarfaya to Morocco. Following the operation, Morocco adopted the doctrine of Greater Morocco, among other strategic decisions. The operation also played a significant role in transferring military power during Mauritania's path to independence.