Abdellah Belhouchet

Belhouchet was born in Souk Ahras, Algeria. He initially joined the French military during the Indochina War before returning to Algeria, where he became involved with the National Liberation Army (ALN) at the onset of the armed struggle for independence from French colonial rule.^[1]

During the War of Liberation, Belhouchet was appointed to the National Council of the Algerian Revolution (CNRA) in 1957. He played central role to the ALN in coordinating military operations and organizing revolutionary activities against French forces.^[1]

Following Algeria's independence in 1962, Belhouchet focused on structuring and organizing the ANP, the successor to the ALN. He held several key military positions, including serving as the chief of staff of the ANP from November 22, 1986, until November 1988. In addition, he was appointed deputy minister of National Defense and oversaw the General Inspectorate of the ANP, which underscored his influence within the military hierarchy.^[1]

In November 1988, following the October riots, he was reassigned as a military advisor to president Chadli Bendjedid. His departure from the position of chief of staff was part of a broader reshuffle aimed at modernizing the military leadership and reducing its political involvement.^[4]

Belhouchet died on September 16, 2003, in Blida, Algeria, at the age of 80.^[1]

• "JPRS ID: 8803 NEAR EAST/NORTH AFRICA REPORT". CIA FOIA (foia.cia.gov). 1 Nov 2016. Retrieved 27 Sep 2024.