New Revelations on France’s Colonial Crimes: How Algeria Was Bombed with Chemical Weapons

Watan-French colonial crimes continue to spark controversy in Algeria, especially with recent reports documenting the widespread use of chemical weapons against Algerians. These atrocities were not limited to the Algerian War of Independence but date back to the early days of French colonization in the 19th century.

Early Use of Chemical Weapons by France

Algerian nuclear engineering researcher Ammar Mansouri revealed that colonial France began using chemical weapons against Algerians as early as 1830. The first documented use of such weapons resulted in at least 760 casualties.

In an interview with Algerian radio, Mansouri stated that from 1830 to 1962, France used chemical weapons against Algerians 300 times. He cited testimonies from French officers indicating that 800 villages were destroyed with napalm, and 800,000 tons of TNT were dropped on various regions, particularly in southern Algeria.

Mansouri also highlighted the 1845 massacre of the Ouled Riah tribe in Mostaganem, where at least 1,000 people suffocated inside a cave. He referenced a French general who boasted about “burning Arabs” and noted the first recorded use of chloroform and phosphorus in 1852 when 6,000 French soldiers attacked Laghouat, killing 3,586 people. In 1930, all types of chemical weapons were tested in Touggourt, Beni Ounif, and Oued Namous in southern Algeria.

Repeated Genocide and Toxic Legacy

Mansouri emphasized that these acts constituted “repeated genocide,” noting that France used deadly gases like sarin, butane, and phosphorus, which cause severe burns and attack the nervous system. He also highlighted the long-lasting effects of plutonium, which remains hazardous for 241,000 years, suggesting that Algeria could demand France clean up contaminated sites.

While these events occurred before Algeria’s war of independence, historian Christophe Lafaye recently revealed that between 8,000 and 10,000 chemical gas bombings were carried out between 1954 and 1962. He has so far documented 440 incidents and mapped their locations, though a complete record has yet to be compiled. France only banned chemical weapons production and use in 1993.

In an interview with Actu.fr, Lafaye confirmed that archival evidence reveals the use of CN2D gas, a mixture of cyanide and arsenic, along with diatomaceous earth, producing a lethal gas widely deployed against caves and hideouts. France established 119 specialized chemical warfare units in Algeria from December 1956, and at least one documented attack resulted in 116 deaths. Lafaye asserted that these were not isolated incidents but part of a systematic military doctrine.

Controversy Over French TV Channel’s Censorship

The recent decision by a French public TV channel to cancel the broadcast of the documentary Algeria: Special Weapons Units, which was scheduled for March 16, has fueled further controversy. Analysts view this move as politically motivated, especially given the tense diplomatic climate between Algeria and France and ongoing debates about France’s colonial legacy.

The documentary, which was aired on the Swiss channel RTS, exposes France’s use of chemical weapons in its war against Algeria from 1954 to 1959. It highlights that despite being the first signatory of the 1925 Geneva Protocol banning chemical weapons, France extensively used them in Algeria—just as they were widely deployed during World War I.

Algeria’s Fight Against Colonial Landmines

As part of its ongoing efforts to address the long-term effects of colonial crimes, Algeria’s Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva recently organized an event on the impact of anti-personnel landmines on human rights. The event took place during the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council, with over 60 countries and several NGOs participating.

Experts emphasized that landmines are not just a disarmament issue but a human rights and sustainable development concern. They disproportionately affect civilians, restricting fundamental rights such as life, health, education, work, and economic development.

During the event, Algeria’s ambassador to Geneva, Rachid Beladhane, highlighted the country’s extensive efforts since independence in 1962 to eliminate one of colonialism’s deadliest legacies. France had planted 11 million landmines along Algeria’s eastern and western borders. Beladhane also discussed national programs providing assistance to landmine victims.

Legacy of French Colonial Minefields

Historically, French forces used landmines to suppress the Algerian revolution by constructing two electrified barriers—the Challe and Morice Lines—beginning in 1956 to prevent arms smuggling to Algerian resistance fighters. These minefields made border crossings nearly impossible.

The largest number of mine casualties occurred in border regions near these barriers, including:

• Eastern Algeria: El Tarf, Souk Ahras, Guelma, and Tébessa
• Western Algeria: Tlemcen, Naâma, and Béchar

According to a 2019 Algerian report to the UN, landmines from the colonial era caused 7,300 casualties, including:

• 4,830 civilian victims during the revolution
• 2,470 victims after independence
• 20% of survivors suffer from permanent disabilities

Among the 1,625 victims in border areas, 178 were women, while 44% were shepherds, 23.6% were travelers, and 29.5% had various occupations.

Conclusion: Calls for Accountability and Cleanup

Algeria continues to demand that France take responsibility for its colonial crimes, including the use of chemical weapons and the lasting danger of landmines. The historical evidence reveals a systematic policy of chemical warfare and genocide, with devastating consequences that persist today. As the debate over colonial memory intensifies, Algeria’s demands for justice and reparations are gaining increasing international attention.