the Touat, the Gourara and the Tidikelt, a complex that had been part of the Moroccan Empire for many centuries prior to the arrival of the French in Algeria. However, according to Alfred Le Chatelier, French soldier, ceramicist and Islamologist, Touat, at any moment of history, had not been part of Morocco. The rulers of Fez and of Marrakech never effectively took control of Touat, the inhabitants never depended of them more than a few years. In every occasion they would affirm their independence and free themselves of any religious vassalage. An armed conflict opposed French 19th Corps Oran and Algiers divisions to the Aït Khabbash, a fraction of the Aït Ounbgui khams of the Aït Atta confederation. The conflict ended by the annexation of the Touat-Gourara-Tidikelt complex to Algeria by France in 1901. Under French rule, the area was known as the "Territoire des oasis sahariennes". During 1903, attacks on the lines of communication by local tribes caused the French troops to suffer serious losses. To punish the tribes the town of Figuig was bombarded by the French on 8 June. On the following 2 September a band of nomads attacked the escort of a convoy going to Taghit at a place called El Mungar. After maintaining the fight for over seven hours the French were reinforced and their attackers drew off. Out of 115 combatants the French lost 38 killed and 47 wounded. To consolidate their position the French authorities determined to connect the oases with the Algerian Sahara proper by carriage roads and railways. See also Taznatit language Notes References . . . . Google Preview. . . . Google: Preview. . . . First published in 1981. . . . Further reading . . . . . . External links Les Zénètes du Gourara d’hier à aujourd’hui About the Gourara region which lies to the north of Tuat. Geography of Algeria Natural regions of Africa