The Souhane massacre was one of the deadliest massacres of the Algerian Civil War, which occurred on the night of August 20–21, 1997, in the mountain village of Souhane, located in the Blida Province of Algeria.
During the attack, an estimated 60 to 65 villagers were killed by an armed group, widely believed to be the Armed Islamic Group (GIA). The victims included women, children, and elderly men; many were reportedly mutilated, burned, or beheaded. Numerous women were also abducted and raped during the raid. The massacre took place during the holy month of Ramadan, a period that saw a significant escalation of violence in the conflict.
The village of Souhane, situated in a remote and strategically vulnerable area south of Algiers, was particularly exposed to such attacks. The massacre, like many others during this phase of the war, highlighted the brutal nature of the conflict and raised serious questions about the effectiveness and role of state security forces in protecting civilians.
The Souhane massacre was part of a series of horrific massacres that characterized the later stages of the Algerian Civil War, alongside other incidents such as the Rais massacre and the Bentalha massacre. These events drew international condemnation and calls for investigation into the atrocities and the responsibility for civilian protection. The specific motives for the massacre were debated, but it was generally attributed to the GIA's campaign of terror against civilian populations, particularly those perceived as unsupportive of the Islamist insurgency or collaborating with the government. The incident remains a stark reminder of the extreme violence and suffering endured during Algeria's "Black Decade."