Battle of Tadmaït

The Battle of Tadmaït took place between the Emirate Of Mascara against the French Army.

Battle of Tadmaït
Part of French conquest of Algeria
Date 25–28 April 1844 Location Tadmait, Algeria Result Algerian victory
Belligerents
Emirate of Mascara	France
Commanders and leaders
Ahmed ben Salem	Thomas Robert Bugeaud Jean-François Gentil
Strength
Unknown	6,000 - 8,000
Casualties and losses
Significant	32

Background

The campaign led by General Bugeaud against Khalifa Ahmed ben Salem in the Tadmayt region in April 1844 aimed to caution the tribes that remained loyal to the state of Emir Abdelkader.^[1] General Bugeaud's forces set out from El-Harrach on April 27, 1844, comprising an army of approximately 6,000 to 8,000 soldiers after assembling the gathering since April 25, 1844. The objective was to curb the influence of Emir Abdelkader and maintain control over tribes in the region.^[2]

Battle

After 18 days of marching towards Djurdjura, including clashes with Algerian resistance fighters, a portion of General Bugeaud's force was stationed in Tadmayt under the command of General Gentil, General Court, and Colonel Schmitt. The remaining forces continued advancing towards the mountains of Sidi Ali Bounab.^[2] General Bugeaud encountered resistance from the tribes and hamlets of Iflissen Umellil, leading to an attack by Ahmed ben Salem's horsemen. The Algerians withdrew towards the heights of Sidi Ali Bounab, and General Bugeaud eventually withdrew after losing 32 French soldiers. The Zawawa resistance also suffered significant losses, with some of their villages being burned and destroyed.^[3]

Aftermath

Following the battle, the leader of Fleyset El-Jbel, known as "Ben Zaamoum," advanced towards the French camp to negotiate a truce with France. He secured recognition as the leader of his tribe by the French.^[4]

References

1. "www.berberes.net • Afficher le sujet - Cheikh Ahmed Ben-Salem-(1837 - 1847)". 2018-04-02. Archived from the original on 2018-04-02. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
2. Algeria: Moniteur algerién. Journal officiel de la colonie. nr. 532-880 (5 avril 1843-10 fevr. 1848) 2 v (in French). 1843.
3. "www.berberes.net • Afficher le sujet - Cheikh Ahmed Ben-Salem-(1837 - 1847)". 2016-11-18. Archived from the original on 2016-11-18. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
4. Le Correspondant (in French). Charles Douniol. 1844.