Defence Minister Hassan Rashid Calls for Unity to Protect Maldives from 'Enemies and Traitors' on Victory Day

Defence and National Security Minister Hassan Rashid has called on Maldivians to work together with unity to protect the country from the evil plots of its enemies and traitors, becoming a united group that loves the religion and the nation. In a special message delivered through state media PSM on the occasion of the Day of Victory commemoration, the minister said that November 3, 1988 was a very dangerous day when an external ruthless group joined with a small section of Maldivians to launch a severe attack aimed at taking away the country's independence and sovereignty. The minister described it as a terrifying day that filled the entire atmosphere with fear and panic, and brought tears to the eyes of the Maldivians. "While commemorating the Day of Victory today, we too must become a group that works with unity to protect the country from the evil plots of the nation's enemies and traitors," Defence and National Security Minister Hassan Rashid said. The minister noted that it was a sad day when 19 innocent Maldivians were martyred and many others were injured in the merciless attacks by the enemies. The minister stated that the important lesson we should all take from the Day of Victory is the lesson of prioritizing the Maldivian nation. He highlighted that the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the religion and the country set that example by giving up their lives, and that they protected the independence and sovereignty of the Maldivian nation. He also expressed that the Maldivian nation will always be proud of them. "It was a day when 19 innocent Maldivians were martyred and many others were injured in the merciless attacks by the enemies. The lesson we should all take from the Day of Victory is the lesson of prioritizing the Maldivian nation," the minister said. Concluding his message, the minister recalled the memory of all those who were martyred on November 3, and prayed for eternal heavenly blessings for their souls. It is noteworthy that the terrorist attack that occurred on November 3, 1988, was the most tragic and dangerous incident in the history of the country, posing a threat to the country's independence and sovereignty. This was an attack launched by armed terrorists from the Sri Lankan PLT group who entered Malé with the participation of a small section of Maldivians with the aim of changing the government. In these attacks, 19 heroes including Maldivian soldiers and ordinary citizens serving their national duty were martyred.