The French face other opposition as well in the area.

The superior of a religious brotherhood, Muhieddine (Muhyi ad Din), who had spent time in Ottoman jails for opposing the dey's rule, launches attacks against the French and their Moroccan makhzen allies at Oran in 1832.

In the same year, tribal elders choose Muhieddine's son, twenty-five-year-old Abdelkader, to take his place leading the jihad.

Abdelkader, who is recognized as amir al muminin (commander of the faithful), quickly gains the support of tribes throughout Algeria.

A devout and austere marabout, he is also a cunning political leader and a resourceful warrior.

From his capital in Tlemcen, Abdelkader sets about building a territorial Muslim state based on the communities of the interior but drawing its strength from the tribes and religious brotherhoods.

By 1839 he controls more than two-thirds of Algeria.

His government maintains an army and a bureaucracy, collects taxes, supports education, undertakes public works, and establishes agricultural and manufacturing cooperatives to stimulate economic activity.