Algerian Civil War

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Algerian Civil War

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A brutal civil war (1992–2002) between the Algerian state and Islamist rebel groups.

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Origins & Early Life

The Algerian Civil War (Arabic: الحرب الأهلية الجزائرية, romanized: al-Ḥarb al-Ahlīyah al-Jazāʼirīyah), known in Algeria as the Black Decade (Arabic: العشرية السوداء, romanized: al-ʻAshrīyah al-Sawdāʼ; French: La décennie noire), was a civil war fought between the Algerian government and various Islamist rebel groups from 11 January 1992 (following a coup negating an Islamist electoral victory) to 8 February 2002. The war began slowly; it initially appeared that the government had succeeded in crushing the Islamist movement, but armed groups emerged to declare violent jihad, and by 1994 violence reached such a level that it appeared the government might not be able to withstand it. By 1996–97 it had become clear that the Islamist resistance had lost its popular support, although fighting continued for several years after this. The war has been referred to as "the dirty war" (la sale guerre), and saw extreme violence and brutality used against civilians. During the conflict Islamists targeted journalists, over 70 of whom were killed, as well as remaining ethnic European pieds-noirs still living in the country after independence, and foreigners, over 100 of whom were killed, although it is thought by many that security forces as well as Islamists were involved in targeting civilians, as the government had infiltrated the insurgents.

Career & Major Achievements

Children were widely used, particularly by the rebel groups. Total fatalities have been estimated at 44,000 and at between 40,000 and 50,000. The conflict began in January 1992, when the new and enormously popular Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) party appeared poised to defeat the ruling National Liberation Front (FLN) party in the national parliamentary election in December 1991. The election was canceled after the first round; the military effectively took control of the government and forced pro-reform president Chadli Bendjedid from office. After the FIS was banned and thousands of its members arrested, Islamist guerrillas rapidly emerged and began an armed campaign against the government and its supporters.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

They formed themselves into various armed groups, principally the Islamic Armed Movement (MIA), based primarily in the mountains, and the more hard-line Armed Islamic Group (GIA), based primarily in the towns. The GIA motto was "no agreement, no truce, no dialogue" and it declared war on the FIS in 1994 after the latter had made progress in negotiations with the government. The MIA and various smaller insurgent bands regrouped, becoming the FIS-loyalist Islamic Salvation Army (AIS). After talks collapsed, a presidential election was held in 1995 and won by the army's candidate, General Liamine Zéroual. The GIA fought the government, as well as the AIS, and began a series of massacres targeting entire neighborhoods or villages, which peaked in 1997.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1992: 1992 Milestone — The Algerian Civil War (Arabic: الحرب الأهلية الجزائرية, romanized: al-Ḥarb al-Ahlīyah al-Jazāʼirīyah), known in Algeria as the Black Decade (Arabic: العشرية السوداء, romanized: al-ʻAshrīyah al-Sawdāʼ; French: La décennie noire), was a civil war fought between the Algerian government and various Islamist rebel groups from 11 January 1992 (following a coup negating an Islamist electoral victory) to 8 February 2002.
2. 1994: 1994 Milestone — The war began slowly; it initially appeared that the government had succeeded in crushing the Islamist movement, but armed groups emerged to declare violent jihad, and by 1994 violence reached such a level that it appeared the government might not be able to withstand it.
3. 1995: 1995 Milestone — After talks collapsed, a presidential election was held in 1995 and won by the army's candidate, General Liamine Zéroual.
4. 1996: 1996 Milestone — By 1996–97 it had become clear that the Islamist resistance had lost its popular support, although fighting continued for several years after this.
5. 1997: 1997 Milestone — The GIA fought the government, as well as the AIS, and began a series of massacres targeting entire neighborhoods or villages, which peaked in 1997.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Algerian Civil War

True or False: “The conflict was solely caused by economic collapse following the fall of oil prices.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While economic factors were significant, the war also stemmed from political grievances regarding the single-party state and the rise of Islamist movements.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Algerian Civil War