Historical Events tagged with "hostages"
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.
Three CPT Hostages Freed in Baghdad
On March 22, 2006, British forces successfully secured the release of three hostages from the Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) after they had been held captive in Baghdad for 118 days. The hostages' ordeal was marked by the previous murder of their colleague, Tom Fox, an American member of their team, underscoring the dangers faced by foreign human rights activists in Iraq. Their release was celebrated by the CPT and highlighted the ongoing risks for peace activists in conflict zones.
Continue ReadingIraqi Opposition Seizes Embassy in Berlin
A group of Iraqis opposed to Saddam Hussein's regime seized the Iraqi embassy in Berlin for five hours. The takeover involved hostages but concluded without violence as the group released the captives and surrendered peacefully. The incident highlighted dissent against the regime among Iraqi expatriates and drew international attention.
Continue ReadingHezbollah's Cross-Border Raid on Israel
Hezbollah militants successfully executed a cross-border raid, capturing three Israeli Defense Force soldiers. The incursion occurred along the Israel-Lebanon border, escalating tensions in the region. The operation aimed to exert pressure on Israel amid ongoing conflict and hostilities. This event represented a significant tactical move by Hezbollah as part of their broader strategy against Israeli forces.
Continue ReadingEnd of Indian Airlines Flight 814 Hijacking
Indian Airlines Flight 814 was hijacked on December 24, 1999, while flying from Kathmandu to New Delhi. The aircraft was forced to land in several locations before the hijackers demanded the release of prisoners in India. After a tense standoff, the ordeal concluded with a negotiated release of the passengers in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on December 31. All 190 hostages were freed unharmed after Indian authorities made significant concessions to the hijackers.
Continue ReadingSaddam Hussein's Televised Diplomacy
Saddam Hussein appeared on Iraqi state television with several Western hostages, aiming to leverage their situation to dissuade international military action against Iraq following its invasion of Kuwait. This broadcast sought to influence global perceptions and deter the impending Gulf War by portraying Iraq as a victim of aggression, rather than an aggressor. The hostages included individuals from the U.S., the United Kingdom, and other nations, used as pawns in Saddam's strategic maneuvering.
Continue ReadingU.S. Covert Arms Sales to Iran Revealed
The Lebanese magazine Ash-Shiraa reported that the United States was secretly selling weapons to Iran. The motive behind these covert transactions was to secure the release of seven American hostages held by pro-Iranian groups in Lebanon. This revelation sparked widespread controversy regarding U.S. foreign policy and intelligence operations.
Continue ReadingIran Releases American Hostages After Inauguration
Twenty minutes after Ronald Reagan is inaugurated as the 40th President of the United States, Iran releases 52 American hostages who had been held for 444 days. This coincidental timing highlighted the end of a long diplomatic crisis. The hostages were freed as part of negotiations that began before Reagan took office, concluding a significant foreign policy challenge for the outgoing President Jimmy Carter. The release occurred while the new administration was starting, symbolizing a dramatic shift in U.S.-Iran relations.
Continue ReadingU.S. Embassy Seized by Iranian Students
A group of Iranian college students stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 90 American hostages. Motivated by anger over U.S. support for the recently overthrown Shah, the students demanded the extradition of the Shah from the United States. The crisis lasted for 444 days, profoundly impacting U.S.-Iran relations.
Continue ReadingLufthansa Flight 181 Hijacking by PFLP
On October 13, 1977, Lufthansa Flight 181 was hijacked by four members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) while en route from Palma de Mallorca to Frankfurt. The aircraft, a Boeing 737, was diverted to several locations, including Rome and then ultimately to Mogadishu, Somalia. The hijackers demanded the release of Palestinian prisoners and a ransom of millions of dollars. Negotiations ensued over several days as the German government sought to secure the safe release of the passengers and crew onboard the flight.
Continue Reading