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Algeria, Special Weapons Sections

202555mClaire Billet
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Synopsis

This documentary by director Claire Billet and historian Christophe Lafaye details the massive and systematic use of chemical weapons during the Algerian War. Algerian fighters and civilians, sheltering in caves, were gassed by "special weapons sections" of the French army. The gas identified on military documents is CN2D, whose widespread use forced insurgents to flee "treated" sites, at the risk of dying there. The method is reminiscent of the "enfumades" used by the French expeditionary force during the conquest of Algeria in the 19th century. Between 8,000 and 10,000 such operations are believed to have taken place on Algerian soil between 1956 and 1962. This historical aspect is little known due to the difficulty of accessing archives, many of which are still classified, raising questions about memory, historical truth, and justice.

DocumentaryHistory
War CrimesAlgeriaFrench ColonialismAlgerian War (1954-62)Chemical WeaponGuerilla ArmyDjazairCrimes Against Civilians

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Frequently asked questions

What is Algeria, Special Weapons Sections (2025) about?

This documentary by director Claire Billet and historian Christophe Lafaye details the massive and systematic use of chemical weapons during the Algerian War. Algerian fighters and civilians, sheltering in caves, were gassed by "special weapons sections" of the French army. The gas identified on military documents is CN2D, whose widespread use forced insurgents to flee "treated" sites, at the…

Who stars in Algeria, Special Weapons Sections?

Algeria, Special Weapons Sections stars Christophe Lafaye (Self), Mouna Soualem (Narrator (voice)), Julien Kramer (Dub 1), Edouard Eftimakis (Dub 2), Igor Ochronowicz (Dub 3). The film was directed by Claire Billet.

How long is Algeria, Special Weapons Sections?

Algeria, Special Weapons Sections has a runtime of 55 min and premiered in 2025.

Where can I watch Algeria, Special Weapons Sections?

Streaming availability for Algeria, Special Weapons Sections changes by country and service. TasteRay tracks where it is available across Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Max, Apple TV+ and 50+ other platforms — the current options for your country are shown on this page.