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, seven years into the Algerian struggle for independence (and just a year before independence), he switched allegiance, joining the National Liberation Army. Following independence, he received training as an artilleryman at the M. V. Frunze Military Academy, then as a general staff officer at the Ecole de Guerre in Paris.