Other important battles
After Francisco Franco failed to take Madrid he planned to encircle the city which resulted in the battles of Guadalajara and Jarama in March 1937, with victories for the republicans and the battle of Brunete with nationalist victory, however it was still inconclusive. Malaga had been recently taken by nationalist forces. Now Franco planned a new strategy. He would no longer try to shorten the war, but attack the Republican's weakest spots