The Souhane massacre took place in the context of Algeria's civil strife, which had intensified since the early 1990s. The conflict began after the government canceled the 1992 elections that an Islamist party was poised to win, leading to a violent power struggle. On August 20, a village in Souhane was targeted by armed groups, resulting in horrific casualties. Reports indicate that militants invaded homes, executed men, and targeted families, showcasing the brutal nature of the conflict. Survivors recounted the chaos and fear that enveloped the village as violence erupted. Amid this chaos, the kidnapping of 15 individuals was reported, further heightening the sense of terror that gripped the area.

The aftermath of the Souhane massacre sent shockwaves through Algeria and the international community. It highlighted the escalation of violence against civilians and emphasized the urgent need for political and social resolution. In the broader picture of the civil war, this incident was one of many that exemplified the brutal tactics employed by insurgent groups as they sought to assert their influence and control. The ongoing violence contributed to deep-seated divisions within Algerian society and strained relations between different social and religious groups.

By the late 1990s, the conflict had resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, marking one of the most tragic chapters in Algeria’s post-independence history. The Souhane massacre, in particular, served as a chilling reminder of the potential for violence inherent in the struggle for power, ideology, and belief in the region.