In 1961, seven years into the Algerian War of Independence (and just a year before independence), he changed sides, joining the National Liberation Army. After independence, he trained as an artilleryman at the M. V. Frunze Military Academy, then as a general staff officer at the Ecole de Guerre in Paris.
In 1961, having been involved in the Algerian struggle for seven years and just one year before independence, he switched sides to join the National Liberation Army. Following independence, he pursued further military education, initially training as an artilleryman at the M. V. Frunze Military Academy, then serving as a general staff officer at the Ecole de Guerre in Paris.