Algeria commemorated the 70th anniversary of its war for independence from France with a grand military parade on Friday.
As the nation celebrated its hard-fought freedom, relations with its former colonial ruler have once again deteriorated.
A spectacular display of military might unfolded in the heart of Algiers. Fighter jets soared through the sky, leaving trails of smoke as ground troops marched in formation.
Thousands of spectators lined the streets, cheering the procession.
The Algerian War of Independence, which began on November 1, 1954, was a brutal conflict that lasted for eight years.
The National Liberation Front (FLN) launched attacks on French targets, igniting a war that claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Algerians.
The conflict concluded with the signing of the Evian Accords in 1962, granting Algeria its independence.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune used the anniversary to reaffirm Algeria’s sovereignty and its commitment to national unity.
He emphasized the nation’s resilience and its ability to overcome challenges.
Several regional leaders attended the commemoration, including Tunisian President Kais Saied, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, and Libyan Presidential Council Chairman Mohamed al-Menfi.
Notably absent was Morocco, with whom Algeria severed diplomatic ties in 2021.
Brahim Ghali, the leader of the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for Western Sahara, was present at the event.
The Algerian military, one of Africa’s most powerful, has seen a significant budget increase in recent years.Russia remains the primary supplier of arms to the Algerian military.