Yasmina Khadra (Arabic: ياسمينة خضراء), is the pen name of the Algerian author Mohammed Moulessehoul (Arabic: محمد مولسهول). Born on 10 January 1955, he is a renowned Algerian author living in France, celebrated for his prolific writing in French. Khadra has published nearly 40 novels and his works have been distributed in over 50 countries worldwide.

Moulessehoul, a former officer in the Algerian army, adopted the pseudonym Yasmina Khadra to evade military censorship. His writings often explore the theme of civil wars within Algeria and other Arab nations, portraying Muslim conflicts, the allure of radical Islamism, and the contradictions within political regimes. Through his work, he has critically examined the dual culpability of the regime and fundamentalist opposition in Algeria's tragedy.

In 2001, Moulessehoul revealed his true identity after living in seclusion in France, having previously maintained anonymity for his safety during the Algerian Civil War. His novel, The Swallows of Kabul, set in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, was shortlisted for the 2006 International Literary Prize. In 2004, Newsweek recognized him as "one of the rare writers capable of giving a meaning to the violence in Algeria today."