Thread by @SSNPNews

Thread: "The 100 Free Ones", the story of the 100 SSNP revolutionaries who volunteered to join the Tunisians in Bizerte, in 1961, to aid them in their fight for liberation from the French occupation.

After gaining its independence and signing "The Franco-Tunisian Protocol" of independence, the Tunisian side awaited France's promised evacuation of its last base in Tunisia, Bizerte's Naval Base, which was used against the Algerian revolutionaries during the Algeria War.

But for years France stalled the evacuation decision, and on the contrary, fortified its presence in Bizerte, beyond the naval base alone.

In 1961, as the imminent French defeat in Algeria neared, the Tunisian forces besieged the French military in Bizerte, igniting clashes.

After the Bizerte clashes broke out, SSNP's President then, Abdullah Saadeh, aka the Albino Tiger, sent Tunisian President, Habib Bourguiba, a telegram declaring SSNP's support for the Tunisia, and another telegram to the Lebanese parliament demanding support for Tunisia.

Tunisia requested volunteers from all revolutionary movements to aid them in their battle against the French, and on the 26th of July, of 1961, 100's of SSNP members stood outside the Tunisian embassy, volunteering to join the fight.

The SSNP's Dean of Defense back then, Trustee Bashir Obeid, gave to the chosen 100 volunteers, asking them to demonstrate courage and heroism in Tunisia, reminding them of Tunisia's shared past with Syria, of Carthage, Elissa, Hamilcar and Hannibal.

Then the Party's President, Abdullah Saadeh, gave his speech to the volunteers:

"We requested only a 100 fighters, but before our request even reached all party branches, here you march in the 100's to volunteer for Tunisia's liberation."

President Abdullah Saadeh continued:

"As the Zaim (Antoun Saadeh) said, we are the shield and sword of the Arab world.

We defend freedom because we are free. We are responsible for defending others' freedom because freedom cannot be fragmented."

After the speech's end, the SSNP volunteers marched to Tunisia's embassy, as the civilians gathered in the streets of Beirut to salute them. The volunteers were met by the Tunisian ambassador to Beirut then, Mahmoud Charchour, upon arriving at the embassy.t

Tunisian Ambassador Mahmoud Charchour to the SSNP volunteers:

"I see upon your faces, the spirit of the eternal martyr Antoun Saadeh, and Tunisia would be truly proud of your enthusiasm to aid it in its battle for liberation."

Ambassador Charchour continued:

"Tunisia, which knows of your Social Nationalist Party's struggle, is deeply grateful for your noble gesture, and I, in the name of Tunisia, its people, its president and its government, thank you."

Amongst the volunteers to fight in Tunisia were comrade Niqula Nasir, Trustee Ojaj el Mohtar, Trustee Ghassan Izzeddine, comrade Antoun Akzam and dozens more.

Unfortunately upon returning from their fight against the French in Tunisia to Lebanon, the volunteers found themselves arrested, executed and persecuted by the Lebanese government of Fouad Chehab, the former officer of the French Army, who had dragged the SSNP into a conflict.

The end.