In 1899 a law created for each regiment of Zouaves a 5th Battalion, "to be stationed in France" in "groupes des 5e bataillons de Zouaves". The purpose was to create direct links between the Metropolitan and North African Armies of France. The 5th battalions of the 1st and 4th Zouaves were stationed as part of the "Gouvernement militaire de Paris". The 5th battalions of the 2nd and 3rd Zouaves were stationed in the "région militaire de Lyon". Upon mobilization for war in France, these battalions would form the nucleus of "Régiments de Marche de Zouaves", each of 3 battalions.