From the Saharan Atlas to Kabylia: the long march of Mohamed Zernouh nicknamed el-Hourari

Abstract

Mohamed Zernouh, nicknamed el Hourani was born in 1924, in the region of Djelfa. At a young age, he enlisted in the French army where he was posted to the military post of el-Hourane (M’Sila). After his initial contact with the FLN, he was offered his support for the attack on that camp, which he accepted. On February 4, 1958, an operation was mounted by the officials of region I of zone II of wilaya III for the seizure of the post of el-Hourane with the support of Mohamed Zernouh. The success was total. The ALN seized a large arsenal of war and a number of French prisoners. Mohamed Zernouh joined the PC of Wilaya III where he was rewarded by Colonel Amirouche. Then, he was assigned to wilaya III shock battalion. A few months later, he became the first person in charge after the death of Lahlou Hocine. In 1959, Mohamed Zernouh carried out a mission in Wilaya I with his battalion for almost a year. After returning to Kabylia, he died, weapons in hand, near el-Kseur in April 1960.        

Key word: Zernouh, el Hourane, shock battalion, Aurès, Amirouche, Algerian revolution, ALN, Jumelles