Events tagged with "french special forces"

Historical Events tagged with "french special forces"

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

Grand Mosque Seizure by Sunni Muslims

November 20th, 1979 45 years ago

Around 200 Sunni Muslims took control of the Grand Mosque in Mecca during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, seizing approximately 6,000 hostages. The group objected to the Saudi government’s policies, catalyzing a dramatic standoff with authorities. The Saudi government, facing an unprecedented crisis, sought assistance from French special forces to regain control, culminating in a significant military operation within one of Islam's holiest sites.