HISTORY OF ALGERIA

The resistance of Sheikh Amoud in Hoggar 1881-1923

The resistance of Sheikh Amoud, which is part of the resistance led by the Algerian people against the occupation of Algeria, had the effect of hindering the expansion of French colonialism in the Algerian Sahara, during a considerable period. After having imposed their stranglehold on all the north of Algeria, the colonial authorities began to take an interest in the Great South in order to occupy it, to control the commerce in the Sahara as well as its wealth, the last step being to connect the Algeria to other French colonies in West Africa.

The first step taken by the French to achieve these objectives was to send out missions of exploration and scientific research. In truth, they inspected and knew the roads, wells, relief and tribes to prepare the ground for the military invasion. These attempts at colonization were confronted with a refusal and a strong resistance in the region of Hoggar and Tassili, which lasted about half a century led by Sheikh Amoud Ibn El Mokhtar, who suffered many defeats to the French army in the eastern part of the Algerian Sahara.

Among his most important battles against the French, include that of Bir El Ghrama in the Hoggar 300 km west of Djanet, February 16, 1881 during which Officer Flatters was killed, as well as the Battle of Djanet in 1909, the Battle of Djanet in 1918 and the battle of Issako in 1920 to which must be added other battles in Ain Salah, Tamanrasset and In-Imjen in 1916.

But the constant advance of the French army, equipped with the most modern weapons, forced Sheikh Ibn El Mokhtar left the area to return to the Fezzan region of Libya in 1923, settling there alongside the Libyan Mujahideen until his death in 1928.