Bentalha massacre

[1] In 1997, Algeria experienced a violent civil conflict triggered by the cancellation of the 1992 elections, which were expected to be won by the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS).

In the ten days leading up to the event, residents reported hearing the howling of jackals (which are not native to the area) every night, and helicopters could be seen flying overhead on a daily basis.

According to Amnesty International, survivors reported that during the massacre, armed forces units with armored vehicles were stationed outside the village, preventing some individuals from escaping.

A photograph known as "The Bentalha Madonna," captured by Hocine Zaourar, gained widespread circulation and won the World Press Photo award in 1997.

[3] The image depicts a grieving Algerian woman waiting outside Zmirli Hospital and has become an iconic representation of the Bentalha massacre, similar to The Falling Soldier photograph from the Spanish Civil War.

Fouad Boulemia, a prominent GIA member, was sentenced to death on 1 August 2004 for his involvement in the massacre, in addition to his previous conviction for the murder of FIS leader Abdelkader Hachani.

Yous highlighted statements made by the attackers, suggesting that they were aware the soldiers stationed outside would not intervene and expressed little regard for religious principles.

[7] On the other hand, there have been voices challenging the official narrative, including Yous and Habib Souaidia, who have raised questions about the involvement of armed groups and the role of state institutions in the aftermath of the massacre.

However, Roberts also notes that Yous does not definitively establish the involvement of a special commando or death-squad, indicating the complexity of the historical narrative surrounding the massacre.