Ahmed bin Tayeb bin Salem al-Debaisi or simply Ahmed bin Salem was an Algerian Sufi, commander, and warrior mostly known for commanding the Kabyle
Zwawa
Igawawen or Gawawa, mostly known as Zwawa (in Kabyle: Igawawen, in Arabic: زواوة, and in Latin: Jubaleni''Revue archéologique, Société française d'archéologie classique'' (in French), p. 28) were a group of Kabyle tribes inhabiting the ...
resistance in the
Emirate of Abdelkader
The Emirate of Mascara, Emirate of Abd al-Qadir, or the Resistance of Mascara, was founded by Abd al-Qadir al-Jazairi with the allegiance of the people of Algeria to resist the French conquest of Algeria with its first capital at Mascara then ...
.
Origins
Ahmed bin Salem was born between 1798, and 1807, in
Aïn Bessem
Ain-Bessem is a town and Communes of Algeria, commune in Bouïra Province, Algeria. According to the 2008 census it has a population of 32,548.
Ain Bessam people are the same ethnic group of Berbers of Kabylia. But only few of them speaks Kabyle, ...
. His father was called "Al-Tayeb", and was one of the descendants of the Algerian
Sufi
Sufism ( ar, ''aṣ-ṣūfiyya''), also known as Tasawwuf ( ''at-taṣawwuf''), is a mystic body of religious practice, found mainly within Sunni Islam but also within Shia Islam, which is characterized by a focus on Islamic spirituality, ...
Beni Jaad
is a Japanese R&B singer, who debuted in 2004 under the Avex Trax label. In 2008, Arashiro left Avex Trax and transferred to Universal Music Japan where she started to perform as simply Beni (stylized as BENI).
She was initially best known fo ...
tribe, one of the seven tribe surrounding the Dar-Es-Soltan of the
Deylik of Algiers
The Regency of Algiers ( ar, دولة الجزائر, translit=Dawlat al-Jaza'ir) was a state in North Africa lasting from 1516 to 1830, until it was conquered by the French. Situated between the regency of Tunis in the east, the Sultanate o ...
. He was also known as Ahmed al-Debaisi.
Description
Ahmed bin Salem was average height (around 171 cm). He had a black beard and eyes, white skin, and he was noted to be religious, and wise. He proved his loyalty through many sacrifices, and was noted to be courageous, and skilled in horse riding.
Abdelkader's tours, and his appointment
Following the
Treaty of Tafna
The Treaty of Tafna was signed by both Abd-el-Kader and General Thomas Robert Bugeaud on 30 May 1837. This agreement was developed after French imperial forces sustained heavy losses and military reversals in Algeria. The terms of the treaty ent ...
the Emirate of Abdelkader began expanding to the east through signing alliances, and gaining the loyalty of local tribes. In late 1837, Abdelkader toured Kabylia, where the local tribes gave him a warm welcome. He warned the already cautious tribes about the French expansion into their homeland, and talked with many of the local chiefs, one of them being Ahmed bin Salem. Abdelkader recognized his virtue and intelligence, and asked him for support in the future.
The area of
Bouïra
Bouïra is the capital of Bouïra Province, Algeria
)
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, was at the time still in the hands of the local tribes, such as the Beni Jaad, which resisted the French conquest. Initially serving the
Algerine
Algiers ( ; ar, الجزائر, al-Jazāʾir; ber, Dzayer, script=Latn; french: Alger, ) is the capital and largest city of Algeria. The city's population at the 2008 Census was 2,988,145Census 14 April 2008: Office National des Statistiques d ...
army under Ibrahim Agha, these tribes found themselves isolated from other Algerian resistances, such as the
Beylik of Constantine
The Beylik of Constantine ( ar, بايلك قسنطينة, Bâylik Qasentina), Beylik of the Sunrise or Beylik of the East ( ar, بيليك الشرق, Bâylik Ash-sharq or ) as was its official designation, was one of the three Beyliks of the ...
or the
Beylik of Titteri
The Beylik of Titteri, (in arabic : ''bâylik at-Tîtrî)'', was one of the three permanent Beyliks of the Regency of Algiers, the other two being the Western Beylik, and the Beylik of Constantine. It was established in 1546 and was ended during t ...
. In 1837, a few months before the treaty of tafna, France successfully defeated these local tribes in the
Thénia expedition
Thénia (), sometimes written as ''Thenia'', with around 40,000 inhabitants, is the chief town in the daïra of the same name, in the wilaya of Boumerdès, in northern Algeria. Historically, the name is a contraction of ''Theniet Beni Aicha'' (ث ...
. As such, the promises of Abdelkader to unify the Algerian tribes, and lead a successful war of liberation against the kafir invaders sounded very much promising. Abdelkader gave a speech to the locals, and in the end, they all pledged allegiance to him. He appointed Ahmed to lead the local district.
The district's organization
The district was further organized into four Aghaliks, each led by an Agha.
War against France
Mitidja Campaign
In 1839 the war between Algeria and France rebegun. Ahmed bin Salem, with other commanders, Mohammed Allel, and Muhammad bin Isa al-Barakani started a campaign against France, and the tribes loyal to France in the
Mitidja
Mitidja, (Arabic: , Berber: Mettijet ⵎⴻⵜⵙⵉⵛⵝ) is a plain stretching along the outskirts of Algiers in northern Algeria. It is about long, with a width of . Traditionally devoted largely to agriculture and serving as the breadbasket ...
plains. The campaign was initially extremely successful, and caused several thousand hostile casualties. The Algerian forces were forced to retreat after a French victory at Oued El Alleug where the Algerian lost several hundred troops. The battle was Tactically a French victory, since they forced the Algerian armies to retreat, but it was a
strategic victory
A strategic victory is a victory that brings long-term advantage to the victor and disturbs the enemy's ability to wage a war. When historians speak of a victory in general, they usually refer to a strategic victory. Usually it comes together with ...
for the Algerians since they slaughtered several thousand French troops and French-friendly tribes, and overall weakened the French war efforts around
Algiers
Algiers ( ; ar, الجزائر, al-Jazāʾir; ber, Dzayer, script=Latn; french: Alger, ) is the capital and largest city of Algeria. The city's population at the 2008 Census was 2,988,145Census 14 April 2008: Office National des Statistiques ...
.
Battle of Ammal
Following the retreat from Mitidja, Ahmed decided to fortify the mountains of
Khemis El-Khechna
Khemis El-Khachna is a town and commune in Boumerdès Province, Algeria
)
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, and Bani Omran to monitor French movements in the region, and launch raids against French troops and
settlers
A settler is a person who has migrated to an area and established a permanent residence there, often to colonize the area.
A settler who migrates to an area previously uninhabited or sparsely inhabited may be described as a pioneer.
Settle ...
. The French in turn attacked a tribe near Ammal, and stole 1,000 cattle, and 300 sheep from them. Ahmed bin Salem in turn attacked several settlements inhabited by French settlers, and stole their cattle. After hearing about the French army's location, he ambushed general
Sylvain Charles Valée
Sylvain-Charles, comte Valée (17 December 1773 – 16 August 1846), born in Brienne-le-Château, was a Marshal of France.
Upon the outbreak of the French Revolution, Valée enlisted in the French revolutionary army and was sent to serve in ...
's troops, and nearly destroyed their rear before retreating, successfully utilizing
Hit-and-run tactics
Hit-and-run tactics are a tactical doctrine of using short surprise attacks, withdrawing before the enemy can respond in force, and constantly maneuvering to avoid full engagement with the enemy. The purpose is not to decisively defeat the ene ...
.
Battle of Boudouaou
The French decided to build several roads towards Kabylia to ease troop movements towards the region. Reorganizing in
Thénia
Thénia (), sometimes written as ''Thenia'', with around 40,000 inhabitants, is the chief town in the daïra of the same name, in the wilaya of Boumerdès, in northern Algeria. Historically, the name is a contraction of ''Theniet Beni Aicha'' (ث ...
, he planned an attack against the French troops guarding the construction workers. The French forces relied on 2 units to guard these roads. In September 1840 Ahmed mobilized his troops and besieged the Qara Mustafa, a few kilometers from
Boudouaou
Boudouaou, during French colonialism known as L'Alma (or Alma) is a town in the western part of Boumerdès, Algeria. It is a coastal town on the Mediterranean Sea. Its population in 2008 was 56,398.Nicolas Changarnier to lift the siege, and hopefully kill Ahmed bin Salem. Nicolas rallied his troops near El Harrach on September 18 at seven in the evening and set off one and a half hours later to
Oued El Hamiz
Wadi ( ar, وَادِي, wādī), alternatively ''wād'' ( ar, وَاد), North African Arabic Oued, is the Arabic term traditionally referring to a valley. In some instances, it may refer to a wet (ephemeral) riverbed that contains water onl ...
in complete secrecy. The French army arrived at Boudouaou on September 19, and surprised the Algerians, who retreated immediately in disorder. He chased them, and killed several Algerian tribesmen, and seized 200 rifles, albeit he failed to kill Ahmed himself.
Battle of Beni Mered
The
Battle of Beni Mered
The Battle of Beni Mered took place in April 1842 between the French forces and the Algerian resistance from southern Algiers (Boufarik to Beni Mered in Blida Province). The French had established a military reserve camp around the town of Beni M ...
took place in April 1842 between the French forces and the local Algerian units led by Ahmed himself The French had established a military reserve camp around the town of
Beni Mered
is a Japanese Contemporary R&B, R&B singer, who debuted in 2004 under the Avex Trax label. In 2008, Arashiro left Avex Trax and transferred to Universal Music Japan where she started to perform as simply Beni (stylized as BENI).
She was initial ...
between Blida and Boufarik.
The Berber horsemen under ''Ahmed bin Salem'' extended their operations from the region of Kabylia to the
Mitidja Plain
Mitidja, (Arabic: , Berber: Mettijet ⵎⴻⵜⵙⵉⵛⵝ) is a plain stretching along the outskirts of Algiers in northern Algeria. It is about long, with a width of . Traditionally devoted largely to agriculture and serving as the breadbasket o ...
in early 1842 by attacking the French forces around the area of
Béni Mered
Béni Mered or Beni Marad is a town and commune in Blida Province, Algeria
)
, image_map = Algeria (centered orthographic projection).svg
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. The attack took place on April 11, 1842, not far from the French military reserve camp, against a detachment of 30 French soldiers under the command of
Sergent Blandan
Jean Pierre Hippolyte Blandan (9 February 1819 – 12 April 1842) was a French soldier, known for his historic resistance on the battlefield at Boufarik in Algeria. He was posthumously made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour.
Career
Blandan j ...
. About 300 Berber horsemen under ''Ahmed bin Salem'' attacked and annihilated the French detachment. The Algerians did not lose a single man.
General Thomas Robert Bugeaud, during April 1844, attempted to launch an expedition to end the Emirate's influence over Kabylia. He planned on defeating Ahmed's forces in the
Tadmaït
Tadmaït (Tamazight: ⵜⴰⴷⵎⴰⵉⵜ pronounced Thadhmaith, Arabic: تادمايت, previously ''Camp-du-Maréchal'' i.e. ''Marshal's Camp'') is a town and Communes of Algeria, commune in Tizi Ouzou Province in northern Algeria, located 18 k ...
region. Upon meeting his enemy, they fought for 14 hours, but the French units retreated after conceding 32 casualties. Algerian casualties were also heavy.