On 11 May 1957, a unit of the National Liberation Army (ALN) took up positions along the road stretching from a bridge over the Oued Zeggar to the town of Zitouna.

They maintained their positions along the bends of the valley from 2 a.m. until 4 p.m. Later in the day, they spotted a small French military convoy moving along the river.

[1][2] The French forces comprised over 100 soldiers accompanied by 7 tanks[1] and 17 military trucks carrying ammunition and valuable equipment.

[1] The military convoy fell into the ambush set by the detachment, and after its destruction, they seized a substantial amount of ammunition and equipment, including heavy machine guns.

In retaliation, the French forces burned down the village, slaughtered civilians and their livestock, and further declared Aïn Kechra a forbidden area.