Ambush of Oued Zeggar

Oued Zeggar ambush
Part of Algerian War

Monument in Aïn Kechra
Date11 May 1957
Location
Aïn Kechra, Algeria
Result ALN victory
Belligerents
Algeria ALN France France
Commanders and leaders
Algeria Bouali Messaoud Unknown
Strength
300 or 600 men 100+ men
7 Tanks
17 Military Trucks
Casualties and losses
None or 3 100 or 90 dead
1 or 12 captured

The Oued Zeggar ambush, or the battle of Aïn Kechra, was a military operation by the National Liberation Army (ALN) to ambush a French military convoy near Aïn Kechra, Skikda Province, Algeria in 1957.

Background

On 11 May 1957, a unit of the National Liberation Army (ALN) took up positions along the road stretching from a bridge over the Oued Zeggar to the town of Zitouna. They maintained their positions along the bends of the valley from 2 a.m. until 4 p.m. Later in the day, they spotted a small French military convoy moving along the river.[1][2]

Battle

The French forces comprised over 100 soldiers accompanied by 7 tanks[1] and 17 military trucks carrying ammunition and valuable equipment. In contrast, the ALN consisted of approximately 600[3][2] or 300 fighters.[1]

The military convoy fell into the ambush set by the detachment, and after its destruction, they seized a substantial amount of ammunition and equipment, including heavy machine guns.[1][2][3] In the battle, approximately 100[1] or 90[2][3] French soldiers were killed, with 1[1] or 12[2][3] captured, with either no casualties[1][2] or 3[3] on the ALN side.

Aftermath

In retaliation, the French forces burned down the village, slaughtered civilians and their livestock, and further declared Aïn Kechra a forbidden area.[1][2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "مجاهدو سكيكدة يستذكرون معركة واد زقار الكبرى". الذاكرة (in Arabic). 2023-05-11. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "معركة وادي زقار التاريخية بسكيكدة". Archived from the original on 17 December 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d e "معركة واد زقار".