Ambush of Oued Zeggar

The Ambush of Oued Zeggar or the Battle of Ain Kechra, was a military operation by the ALN to ambush a french military convoy near Ain Kechra in Skikda, Algeria in 1957.

Ambush of Oued Zeggar
Part of Algerian War
Monument in Ain Kechra
Date 11 May 1957 Location Ain Kechra, Algeria Result ALN victory
Belligerents
ALN	France
Commanders and leaders
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

Background

On May 11, 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.

Battle

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

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. In the battle, approximately 100 or 90 French soldiers were killed, with 1 or 12 captured, with either no casualties or 3 on the ALN side.

Aftermath

In retaliation, the French forces burned down the village, slaughtered civilians and their livestock, and further declared Ain Kechra a forbidden area.