Day of National Recognition for the Harkis (France)
Next Date
September 25th, 2026
Day of National Recognition for the Harkis (France)
Harki is the generic term for native Muslim Algerians who served as auxiliaries in the French Army during the Algerian War from 1954 to 1962. The word sometimes applies to all Algerian Muslims who supported French Algeria during the war. The motives for enlisting were mixed. They are regarded as traitors in independent Algeria and tens of thousands of them were killed after the war in reprisals despite the Évian Accords ceasefire and amnesty stipulations. President Charles de Gaulle controversially made the decision to not give the Harkis sanctuary in France, viewing them as "soldiers of fortune" who should be gotten rid of as soon as possible.
Source: Wikipedia Harki