The Algerian Civil War was an armed conflict in Algeria between the Algerian Government and multiple Islamist rebel groups, sparked by a military overthrow of the newly elected Islamist government. The war lasted from December 1991 until February 2002, though in the south of the country an Islamist insurgency remains ongoing.
1991
November 27 - Two Islamists who had fought in the Afghan War, Aïssa Messaoudi and Abderrahmane Dahane, attack a border post at Guemmar, killing soldiers and foreshadowing the war to come. December 26 - First round of parliamentary elections; the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) wins 188 of the 232 (of 429) seats decided on the first ballot, putting it far ahead of any other party. The Socialist Forces Front (FFS) wins 25 seats, while the ex-ruling party, the National Liberation Front (FLN), wins just 15.
1992
January 3 - The second round of Algeria's general elections is cancelled. President Chadli Bendjedid forced to resign. January 14 - It is announced that a military-backed High Council of State (HCE) is taking over. January 16 - The exiled ex-independence fighter Mohammed Boudiaf returns and is given leadership of the HCE. January 22 - Leading FIS member Abdelkader Hachani arrested. February 9 - State of emergency declared. March 4 - FIS dissolved by government decree. June 29 - Mohammed Boudiaf assassinated; his role is filled by Ali Kafi. July 12 - FIS leaders Abassi Madani and Ali Belhadj sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment. August 26 - Algiers airport bombed; 9 deaths, 128 injured.
1993
March 27 - Algeria cuts diplomatic relations with Sudan and Iran, accusing them of supporting terrorism in Algeria. May 26 - Anti-Islamist writer Tahar Djaout attacked by assassins; he died of his wounds shortly after, on June 2. August 22 - Ex-Prime Minister Kasdi Merbah assassinated. The government accuses the Armed Islamic Group (GIA), while FIS accuses the government. December 1 - Deadline beyond which the GIA had stated that it would consider all foreigners remaining in Algeria as targets.
1994
January 30 - Liamine Zeroual given presidency of the High Council of State. March 10 - Tazoult prison escape; guerrillas apparently attacked the prison and freed about 1000 prisoners. On the same day, the playwright Abdelkader Alloula was assassinated. August 27 - Moroccan border closed. September 29 - Rai singer Cheb Hasni assassinated. November 14 - Alleged Berrouaghia prison massacre. December 24 - GIA hijacks Air France Flight 8969. December 27 - main foreign airlines stop flights to Algeria.
1995
January 14 - Representatives of FIS, FFS, and FLN (and some smaller parties) sign the Sant'Egidio platform (text) in Rome, seeing it as a blueprint for ending the conflict. The Algerian government found its provisions unacceptable, and did not sign. February 21 - Serkadji prison mutiny; 4 guards and 96 prisoners killed in a day and a half, following an escape attempt and prison mutiny in a high-security prison for people charged with or convicted of terrorism. November 16 - Liamine Zeroual elected president.
1996
May 21 - The seven French Trappist monks of Tibhirine are beheaded. July 16 - GIA leader Djamel Zitouni killed by the rival LIDD in an ambush. Antar Zouabri takes over.