Resistance of Ameri Oasis 1876
1. Introduction:
The reasons for this resistance are not different from the other resistance because they are all related to the colonial policy applied in Algeria and all the tribes. Therefore the inhabitants of Ameri Oasis in Biskra were influenced by the events of popular resistance, starting with Emir Abdelkader and Hadj Ahmed Bey.
2. The First Phase: The beginning of the resistance:
Qaid Boulkhress’s arrogance increased in fuelling the fire of the revolution and its outbreak, especially since Cheikh Mohammed Yahia Ben Mohammed refused to comply with his orders when he called him to his residence in Biskra; because he was scared to face the same fate as his brother Kadee Massoud who was murdered by Boulkhress. The tribes of Bouazid did not accept the order of Boulkhress due to their persistent disagreement and his attempt to arrest Cheikh Mohammed Yahia Ben Mohammed, after assuring the governor that he should arrest him in the barn of El-Oued, he issued a written order on 29 November 1875, but it was not achieved.
Cheikh Mohammed Yahia Ben Mohammed was convinced to attend, so he went to Biskra and met Qaid Boulkhress without being arrested by the governor Gueliz. When he returned to Ouled Bouzid, he convinced them of the need to announce the revolution and let go of their Marginal Differences; in the Oasis, he found in Cheikh Ben Aiche the moral strength that enabled them to recruit the inhabitants and declare the Jihad against the French. From there, they lit the fire of the revolution in the Oasis of Ameri and nearby areas.
B.
The revolution leader Mohammed Yahia Ben Mohammed and Cheikh Ahmed Ben Aiche were obliged to organize the line and contact the tribe leaders to win over patrons and supporters; they succeeded in gathering a good number of influential individuals from the Saharan region, notably Cheikh Ben Dah, Cheikh of the Jebabra tribes, Cheikh Mabrouk Brika, Cheikh Ouled Daoud, Cheikh Mohamed Belhadj Ben Salem, Cheikh Ali Ben Reech, and Cheikh of the Metlili marabout in Chaabna. The goal of gathering the mujahideen was to eradicate the French enemy and his helper's most prominent Qaids of Ben Genna, who burdened the citizens of the Saharan region with their expensive taxes.
D. The Last Phase:
At the beginning of this stage, the colonial authorities tried to induce Cheikh Mohammed Yahia Ben Mohammed and parley and lure him to Biskra to murder him. However, he was used to the French schemes, so he refused all the invitations. During the same time, the preparation for the revolution was in full swing. Officer Leufroix tried to cut down the rebel’s anger through a visit to the region, but he failed due to the inhabitant’s clinginess to the Jihad. He was forced to go back to Biskra under the military guard of Qaid Hadj Ben Genna, and Qais Mohammed Sghir Ben Genna. When the news of the revolution spread, general Qaurteri moved to Biska to prepare his forces. At the same time, Cheikh Mohamed Yahia Ben Mohammed was collecting arms and Mujahideen from his side. His comrade Ben Aiche raised the green flag as a symbol for sacrad Jihad and encouraged the people in the markets and oases to take up arms against the enemy and their companions, including the Ben Genna family. Cheikh Ben Aiche gathered many inhabitants from the nearby region to Ameri oasis.
By April 11, 1876, the real battle started with a decisive confrontation between the 2100 Algerian mujahideen and the colonial forces led by general Qaurtire, the surrounding area of Ameri oasis was the arena for fierce clashes. At the time when the French army was receiving military support from different pro-colonial areas and tribes; the mujahideen found themselves without any outside support they only relied on the administration, thus this battle was unequal the French had the advantage, which resulted in the martyrdom of the leader of the revolution Mohammed Yahia Ben Mohamed along with 50 other martyrs. Cheikh Ahmed Ben Aiche was wounded, like many French soldiers and their helpers like Qaid of Biskra Mohammed Sghir Ben Genna. The martyrdom of Mohammed Yahia did not hold down the mujahideen’s spirit to continue the revolution. They barricaded themselves in the oasis and organized their ranks, led by Ben Aiche, who contacted residents outside the oasis to support the mujahideen. It was difficult for the commander of the French army to break into the oasis; because of the strength of its men and their violent resistance to his soldiers, so he tried to strike a blockade on the oasis from all sides and cut off supplies from the mujahideen inside.
Given the worsening situation inside the Ameri oasis, General Quarteri used the opportunity with his Algerian associates among loyalists of his country's authorities and attacked it on 27 April 1876, using artillery missiles that vandalized the houses of the oasis. Some mujahideen found no way in front of the French enemy's fire but to surrender.
4. The Results of Ameri oasis Resistance:
This revolution reflected negatively and positively on its population; although its negatives were more than the positives, it once again reflected the Algerian people's rejection of the French colonial presence in the desert as in the north, east, and west. The positives of this revolution are that it proved to the colonial authorities that the Algerian conscience is still alive and that the spiritual connection is a core factor in the Algerian reunion. And all popular resistance were based on the rejection of foreign control and the dismemberment of traitors' collaborators. Its serious repercussions impacted the Oasis and its inhabitants. In the same way as the Oasis of Zaatcha during the reign of its leader, Cheikh Bouziane. These repercussions include:
- The oasis was completely vandalized by demolishing houses, burning trees, and cutting palms.
- Confiscation of property belonging to the residents of Oasis and handing it over to the French and the traitors.
- The arrest of some mujahideen, including 91 mujahedin Bouazid, and submitting them to military courts.
- The death sentence against Cheikh Ahmed Ben Aiche was not carried out, so it was changed with exile.
- Impose a fine of more than 200,192 francs.
- Confiscation of Oasis residents' weapons, including 492 rifles.
- Displacement of Ouled Bouzid ( Bouazid) to areas inside and outside the country.
- The widespread imposition of a fine on all inhabitants of areas who supported the revolution in Ziban.
- Compelling the population to engage in forced labor in the construction of roads, including the road between Batna and Biskra.
- Dispossession of all their property.
