Overtly expressing outrage at the hijacking, privately Abane and the "interior" were delighted. The major split within the F.L.N., threatened as a consequence of Soummam, had been miraculously avoided; unity had been restored and all argument about the primacy of the "interior" resolved — because now the "exterior" had simply ceased to exist. Any flagging by potential "soft-liners" had been effectively quelled. Thus had the French army devisers of the coup really done the enemy a good turn.

XREF: Classic strategic folly pattern — an enemy action that backfires and consolidates opposition. Echoes many cases of overreach strengthening rather than weakening a movement. QUESTION: To what extent did the exterior leadership's elimination actually strengthen the interior's position long-term, versus merely postponing the schism?

Horne, Alistair, A Savage War of Peace- Alge…, loc. 489