Historical Events tagged with "civil war"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Military & Warfare

U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu Evacuated by Helicopter

January 5th, 1991 34 years ago

As violence erupted in Mogadishu, U.S. personnel were evacuated from the U.S. Embassy by helicopter. This urgent operation highlighted the deteriorating security situation in Somalia as armed conflict escalated, prompting a swift response to ensure the safety of diplomats and staff. The evacuation marked a significant moment as it represented the complications of foreign diplomacy in a war-torn nation.

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Military & Warfare

Massacre of Tamil Civilians in Batticaloa

September 9th, 1990 34 years ago

The Batticaloa massacre involved the killing of 184 Tamil civilians by the Sri Lankan Army during the ongoing civil conflict. This incident occurred amidst an intense period of violence and repression against the Tamil population in Sri Lanka, which sought autonomy. Civilians were allegedly rounded up and executed, highlighting the brutal tactics used during the conflict. The massacre has been documented as a significant event in the Sri Lankan civil war, exemplifying the severe human rights violations that occurred during this time.

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Military & Warfare

Sri Lankan Army Soldiers Kill 158 Civilians

September 5th, 1990 34 years ago

On September 5, 1990, Sri Lankan Army soldiers conducted a brutal attack that resulted in the deaths of 158 civilians in the village of Kokkadicholai. This event occurred during the ongoing civil strife between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The military operation was part of a broader campaign against Tamil insurgents, yet it resulted in significant civilian casualties, raising concerns about human rights violations. Eyewitness accounts described the scene as chaotic and horrific, with soldiers rounding up villagers and assessing their loyalty to the government under intense scrutiny.

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Politics & Government

El Salvadoran Army Kills Jesuit Priests

November 16th, 1989 35 years ago

El Salvadoran army soldiers entered the campus of José Simeón Cañas Central American University and killed six Jesuit priests along with their housekeeper and her daughter. The killings took place during El Salvador's civil war, as the priests had been vocal critics of the government and the military's tactics against the poor. Their assassination sparked international outrage and brought attention to the ongoing human rights violations in the country.

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Military & Warfare

Mass Killing of Tamil Civilians by Peacekeepers

August 2nd, 1989 35 years ago

An incident occurred where Indian Peace Keeping Forces engaged in operations that resulted in the deaths of 64 ethnic Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka. This incident raised significant concerns about the conduct of peacekeeping forces and the treatment of Tamil civilians during the civil conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

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Military & Warfare

Operation Pawan Launched in Sri Lanka

October 11th, 1987 37 years ago

Operation Pawan was initiated by Indian forces in Sri Lanka to aid the Sri Lankan government in combating the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The operation followed an agreement between India and Sri Lanka aimed at ensuring peace in the region. The conflict saw thousands of civilians, insurgents, and soldiers lose their lives, emphasizing the operation's intense nature and the complexities involved in the Sri Lankan Civil War.

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Military & Warfare

Birth of the Black Tigers in Sri Lanka

July 5th, 1987 37 years ago

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) utilized suicide attacks for the first time against the Sri Lankan Army, marking a significant shift in their military tactics. This new strategy was executed by a special unit named the Black Tigers, who would go on to become synonymous with suicide bombings in the ensuing years. The launch of this tactic underscored the LTTE's commitment to their cause and their innovative approach to asymmetric warfare.

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Military & Warfare

Colombo Car Bombing by Tamil Tigers

April 21st, 1987 37 years ago

A devastating car bomb exploded in Colombo, resulting in the deaths of 106 individuals. The bomb, attributed to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), targeted a busy area in the Sri Lankan capital, causing extensive damage and chaos. This incident was part of the escalating conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE, who fought for an independent Tamil state. The blast not only resulted in significant loss of life but also further intensified the civil strife that had already torn the country apart.

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Crime & Law

American Writer Edward Tracy Abducted in Lebanon

October 21st, 1986 38 years ago

In Lebanon, pro-Iran kidnappers held American writer Edward Tracy captive. Tracy was taken while he was working on a story in Beirut, a city that had become notorious for kidnappings during the Lebanese Civil War. His abduction was part of a broader pattern of targeting Westerners in the region. Following lengthy negotiations, he was released in August 1991, after nearly five years of captivity, highlighting the complex political dynamics at play between Iran, Lebanon, and Western nations.

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