The Anniversary of the Hijacking of the Five Algerian Revolutionary Leaders

On October 22, 1956, the five Algerian revolutionary leaders—Ahmed Ben Bella, Mohamed Boudiaf, Mohamed Khider, Hocine Aït Ahmed, and Mostefa Lacheraf—were captured following the forced diversion of their flight from Rabat to Tunis. Executed by French colonial authorities, the operation aimed to paralyze the political leadership of the National Liberation Front and suppress its growing international diplomatic influence. By redirecting the plane to Algiers, French intelligence sought to weaken the revolution's momentum. However, the move failed to halt the armed struggle. Instead, it amplified global attention and support for the Algerian cause. The suspicious circumstances regarding the alteration of the flight itinerary remain a subject of historical debate and ongoing scrutiny.