<P> The coup was supported by military units in the Spanish protectorate in Morocco , Pamplona , Burgos , Zaragoza , Valladolid , Cádiz , Córdoba , and Seville . However , rebelling units in some important cities -- such as Madrid , Barcelona , Valencia , Bilbao , and Málaga -- did not gain control , and those cities remained under the control of the government . Spain was thus left militarily and politically divided . The Nationalists and the Republican government fought for control of the country . The Nationalist forces received munitions and soldiers from Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy , while the Republican ( Loyalist ) side received support from the Communist Soviet Union and leftist populist Mexico . Other countries , such as the United Kingdom and France , operated an official policy of non-intervention . </P>
which country supported the republican forces with military aid in the spanish civil war
Soviet Union Mexico