His unionist background led him to join the nationalist movement under the Parti du Peuple Algérien–Mouvement pour le Triomphe des Libertés Démocratiques (PPA-MTLD).

[3] On 1 November 1954, the date marking the beginning of the Algerian War of Independence, Zbiri played a key role in organizing the armed uprising in the Guelma region.

[3] In 1955, he was arrested and sentenced to death by French colonial authorities but managed to escape from Constantine prison in November 1955, along with Mostefa Ben Boulaïd, a prominent Algerian revolutionary leader.

[7] Following his escape, Zbiri joined the Armée de Libération Nationale (ALN), the military branch of the National Liberation Front (FLN), and became an officer in the Aurès maquis (resistance fighters).

[3] After Algeria gained independence, Zbiri was appointed to command the 5th Military Region and was actively engaged in the reorganization of the newly formed Algerian People's National Army (ANP).

[6] Zbiri was regarded as one of the notable figures in Algerian history due to his attempt to challenge the political establishment and military during a period of consolidation for the newly independent state.