 In addition, large numbers of Harkis (pro-French Muslims) were murdered when the FLN settled accounts after independence, with 30,000 to 150,000 killed in Algeria in post-war reprisals.After Algeria's independence was recognised, Ahmed Ben Bella quickly became more popular and thereby more powerful.In June 1962, he challenged the leadership of Premier Benyoucef Ben Khedda; this led to several disputes among his rivals in the FLN, which were quickly suppressed by Ben Bella's rapidly growing support, most notably within the armed forces.