Maldives Marks 37 Years Since Defeat of 1988 Coup Attempt

The Maldives is commemorating the 37th anniversary of Victory Day, marking the defeat of the November 3, 1988 coup attack, which remains the most severe national security threat to the country's independence, sovereignty, and autonomy in recent history. Eighteen Maldivians were martyred in the attack, including 8 soldiers and 11 ordinary citizens. The coup, which threatened the nation's sovereignty for approximately 18 hours, was repelled through the brave efforts of Maldivian soldiers, the firm policies of the government, the support of the Maldivian people, and military assistance from friendly India. Since 1989, November 3 has been commemorated as Victory Day. The article notes that today, all young people in the Maldives were born after the 1988 attack, with the population having more than doubled from under 200,000 in 1988 to over 530,000 in 2026. It also emphasizes that in the modern era, national independence and security depend significantly on foreign policy and international relations, as well as on information and technological resources.