Sakiet Sidi Youssef is a small town in the northern part of the Tunisian governorate el Kef. Locals call it sometimes only with its short name “Segya”.
Many tribes passed the place in transit. The tribesman Sidi Youssef ed-Dahmani (Sīdi Yūsuf id-Dahmǟni) of the huge Hilalian Riah branch was amongst them . Himself a former robber, Sidi Youssef decided to change sides and started fighting brigandage. Thus, the transit place was dedicated to Sidi Youssef, who is also known as the medieval saint of Dahmani.
Nowadays, the place is characterized by a hilly landscape with pine trees and its quiet surroundings. However, Sakiet Sidi Youssef witnessed even in recent history commotions. Located on the Algerian-Kefian communication road, only a few kilometers from the border, the town in February 1958 sadly gained international attention. During the Algerian Revolution, the inhabitants of Sakiet Sidi Youssef had been supporting refugees bolting from the adjoining Algerian village Souk Ahras. Subsequently, the French occupation forces retaliated against this assistance and bombarded the Tunisian town, too. This reprisal attack led to more than 60 dead and even more injured people.
