1988 Maldives coup attempt
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The 1988 Maldives coup d'état attempt was an attempt by a group of Sri Lankans and Maldivians led by businessman Abdullah Luthufee and assisted by armed mercenaries of a Tamil secessionist organizatio
Indian Air Force Ilyushin Il-76 planes like this one were used in Cactus. (This image was taken at an unrelated location in Hawaii, United States decades after 1988.)
List of Martyrs of the coup attempt
Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
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Maumoon Abdul Gayoom is a Maldivian politician, statesman and diplomat who served as the 3rd president of the Maldives from 1978 to 2008. He previously served as the Minister of Transport from 1977 to
1988 Maldives coup attempt
…the Republic of Maldives. The attempt was thwarted with Indian assistance in Operation Cactus. Whereas the 1980 and 1983 coup d'état attempts against Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's presidency were not considered serious, the third coup d'état attempt in November 1988 alarmed the international community. On 3rd November 1988, 100…
Formal portrait, 2008
Gayoom speaking during his campaign, in Malé, October 2003
Portrait, c. 1980s
Gayoom with Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi, 2001 in Japan