The Battle of Cuito Cuanavale occurred within the context of the Angolan Civil War, taking place in southeastern Angola. The Angolan government, led by the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), was defending against the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) rebels, who were receiving considerable support from South Africa. In late 1987, South Africa launched Operation Moduler, aiming to secure positions in Angola and support UNITA operations against the MPLA government. The battle became a focal point of the broader regional conflict involving Cold War dynamics, with Cuba backing the MPLA as part of its commitment to revolutionary movements in Africa. Over several months of fierce combat, Angolan and Cuban forces managed to repel the better-equipped South African Defence Forces. The confrontations at Cuito Cuanavale were characterized by extensive artillery fire and air support, resulting in significant casualties on both sides. After intense fighting, which included the use of tanks and infantry, the outcome was a strategic defeat for South African forces. This marked a turning point in the conflict, bolstering the legitimacy of the MPLA government and demonstrating the effectiveness of the Cuban military intervention. The successful defense at Cuito Cuanavale galvanized support for the MPLA and led to significant shifts in the geopolitical landscape of Southern Africa, influencing discussions surrounding peace negotiations in the region, including the eventual independence of Namibia and the end of apartheid in South Africa.