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Witness: the Algerians who fought for France

During the Algerian war of independence, some Algerians had to fight on the side of France. After the war ended in 1962, Harkis were shunned by both sides and ended up in camps.

Algerians who had to fight for France during the war of independence are known as Harkis. After Algeria gained independence in 1962, the Harkis were treated badly by both the Algerians and the French. To the Algerians they were traitors and to the French they were an embarassment.

(Photo: Harkis (Muslim French of Algerian origin) disembarking at Marseille, after having left Algeria, 12th June1962.
(Credit D'EPENOUX/AFP/Getty Images)

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Mon 5 Jul 2010 22:50GMT
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