Bizerte Crisis (1961)

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BIZERTE CRISIS (1961)

tunisian blockade of french naval base at bizerte.

Tunisia imposed a blockade on France's naval base at Bizerte in July 1961, hoping to force its evacuation. French soldiers broke the blockade and gained control of most of the city in fierce fighting with hastily mobilized Tunisian civilians and paramilitary units. Tunisia appealed to the United Nations, which called for a negotiated settlement. French troops remained in occupation of the city until autumn, while the base itself was not abandoned until late in 1963, following the conclusion of the Algerian War.

see also algerian war of independence; bizerte.

Bibliography


Ruf, Werner. "The Bizerte Crisis: A Bourguibist Attempt to Resolve Tunisia's Border Problem." Middle East Journal 25 (1971): 201211.

Kenneth J. Perkins