A new documentary has uncovered evidence of the French army's clandestine and illegal use of chemical weapons during Algeria's war of independence, a violation of international law. The film, "Algeria: Toxic Colonisation," presents archival documents and personal testimonies from former French soldiers and Algerian combatants.

The documentary details how France contravened the 1925 Geneva Protocol by employing chemical agents against Algerian fighters. Historian Christophe Lafaye's research includes a 1956 letter from a senior army commander to the government, explicitly referencing "use of chemical means."

In December 1956, France established a Special Weapons Unit specifically to deploy chemical agents. This unit utilized CN2D gas, the same substance used in World War I, to target Algerian fighters hiding in mountain caves. The documentary estimates that out of approximately 8,000 to 10,000 chemical incidents, only 440 attacks have been officially documented.

One of the most catastrophic recorded attacks occurred in March 1959 at Ghar Ben Shatouh, where an estimated 150 civilians were killed. Despite these documented incidents and the clear violation of international protocols, France did not formally ban chemical weapons until 1993, over three decades after Algeria gained its independence.

The revelations in "Algeria: Toxic Colonisation" shed light on a dark chapter of the Algerian War of Independence, a conflict marked by brutal tactics. The use of chemical weapons, particularly against civilian populations and combatants in enclosed spaces like caves, represents a significant escalation of violence.

Archival evidence and soldier testimonies are crucial to understanding the scale and nature of these operations. The film suggests that the French army's actions were systematic, involving the creation of specialized units and the deployment of specific chemical agents, indicating a deliberate strategy rather than isolated incidents.

The documentary's findings raise critical questions about accountability and the long-term consequences of these attacks. The prolonged period between Algeria's independence and France's official ban on chemical weapons further complicates the narrative, suggesting a potential reluctance to acknowledge or address past actions.

As the documentary brings these suppressed truths to light, it prompts a re-examination of the historical record and the enduring impact of the French army's actions on Algeria and its people. The full extent of the damage and the long-term health effects on survivors remain areas for further investigation.