55 Day War: Difference between revisions
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|place=[[Huambo]], [[Angola]] |
|place=[[Huambo]], [[Angola]] |
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|result=UNITA victory |
|result=UNITA victory |
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|combatant1= {{flagicon image| |
|combatant1= {{flagicon image|Flag of Angola.svg}} [[Angolan Armed Forces]] |
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'''Supported by:'''<br />{{flag|France}}<ref name="Battersby"/> |
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|combatant2= {{flagicon image|Flag of UNITA.svg}} [[UNITA]] |
|combatant2= {{flagicon image|Flag of UNITA.svg}} [[UNITA]] |
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'''Supported by:'''<br />{{flag|Zimbabwe}}<br />{{flag|Ghana}}<br />{{flag|Guinea}}<ref name="Battersby"/> |
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| bullets = no |
| bullets = no |
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| title = |
| title = |
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|commander1 = {{flagicon image| |
|commander1 = {{flagicon image|Flag of MPLA.svg}} [[João de Matos]]<br>{{flagicon image|Flag of MPLA.svg}} [[Higino Carneiro]] |
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|commander2= {{flagicon image|Flag of UNITA.svg}} [[Jonas Savimbi]]<br>{{flagicon image|Flag of UNITA.svg}} [[Demosthenes Amos Chilingutila]] |
|commander2= {{flagicon image|Flag of UNITA.svg}} [[Jonas Savimbi]]<br>{{flagicon image|Flag of UNITA.svg}} [[Demosthenes Amos Chilingutila]] |
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| units1 = |
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| units2 = |
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| units3 = |
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| strength1 = |
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| strength2 = 20,000 soldiers <br/> 8,000–10,000 militia |
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| strength3 = |
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| casualties1 = 12,000 killed <br/> 40 Tanks(UNITA claim) <ref>{{cite news |title=A Renewal of Civil War Ruins an Angolan City |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/1993/0416/16071.html |access-date=29 March 2023 |agency=The Christian Science Monitor |date=16 April 1993}}</ref> |
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| casualties2 = |
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| casualties3 = |
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| notes = {{center|At least 10,000 soldiers killed <br/> 5,000 civilians<ref>{{cite news |title=Angolan Rebels Win Concessions After War Gains |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/1993/0422/22081.html |access-date=29 March 2023 |agency=The Christian Science Monitor |date=22 April 1993}}</ref><br/> 200,000 displaced<ref>{{cite news |title=Angola's people in 'internal exile' |agency=The Namibian |volume=3|issue=115 |date=4 March 1993}}</ref>}} |
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| campaignbox = |
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{{Campaignbox Angolan Civil War}} |
{{Campaignbox Angolan Civil War}} |
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| ⚫ | The 55-day war was a battle in the city of [[Huambo]] between the rebel forces of UNITA led by Arlindo Pena and the MPLA-led Angolan government.<ref name="Battersby">{{cite journal|last1=Battersby|first1=John|title=A Renewal of Civil War Ruins an Angolan City|journal=The Christian Science Monitor|date=1993|issue=April 16|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/1993/0416/16071.html|access-date=18 October 2016}}</ref> The 55-day war lasted between 9 January 1993 and 6 March 1993, resulting in UNITA emerging victorious and the destruction of most of the city. |
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The '''55 Day War''' ({{lang-pt|Guerra dos 55 Dias}}) occurred in [[Angola]], following the 1992 elections, when the city of [[Huambo]] was disrupted by a confrontation between the [[MPLA|People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA)]] and [[UNITA|National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA)]]. The war lasted 55 days, beginning on 9 January 1993.<ref name="Ashgate">{{Cite book|last1=Porto|first1=João Gomes|last2=Alden|first2=Chris|last3=Parsons|first3=Imogen|title= From Soldiers to Citizens: Demilitarization of Conflict and Society|url=https://archive.org/details/fromsoldierstoci00port|url-access=limited|publisher =Ashgate |date=2007|ISBN =9780754692287 |OCLC= 318536876|page=[https://archive.org/details/fromsoldierstoci00port/page/n67 51]}}</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRg_WNozM5E "Stories from Huambo", survivors speak about the siege of their city]</ref> |
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==Background== |
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| ⚫ | |||
After UNITA’s defeat in the [[1992 Angolan general election]], UNITA rejected the election outcome and resumed hostilities. After the eruption of Hostilities, UNITA began a new offensive, this offensive targeted a number of provincial capitals including Kuito, Huambo, Malange, Luena, and Menongue, and aimed to force the MPLA into further concessions.<ref>{{cite news |title=Angolan Rebels Win Concessions After War Gains |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/1993/0422/22081.html |access-date=28 March 2023 |agency=The Christian Science Monitor |date=22 April 1993}}</ref> |
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==Battle== |
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After 55 days of urban warfare, UNITA held the city.<ref name="Ashgate"/> |
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The battle began on 9 January 1993 when UNITA launched an assault to take the city with 20,000 soldiers and 8,000-10,000 armed militia. UNTIA was able to take the city before being driven out of most of the city the same day, fighting remained in the residential areas of the city, and by January 11 100 people had already been killed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Battle rages For Huambo|agency=Namibian |volume=3|issue=77 |date=11 January 1993}}</ref> UNITA soon launch another attack to take the city leading to heavy fighting.<ref>{{cite news |title=Unita battles to regain Huambo |agency=The Namibian |volume=3|issue=79 |date=13 January 1993}}</ref> Two members of the United Nations monitoring force were injured in the fighting. UNITA claimed to have destroyed an ammunition depo on 16 January.<ref>{{cite news |title=UN withdraws from Angolan battle zones |agency=The Namibian |volume=3|issue=82 |date=18 January 1993}}</ref> By 19 January UNITA had surrounded the city and had claimed to have destroyed 12 T-55s and shot down a [[Sukhoi Su-25]] fighter jet.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tales of Horror from Huambo |agency=The Namibian |volume=3|issue=83 |date=19 January 1993}}</ref> |
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On 2 February 1993, shelling killed 40 residents.<ref>{{cite news |title=Angola Prepares for State of Emergency |agency=The Namibian |volume=3|issue=95 |date=4 February 1993}}</ref> By February 11 2,000 people are said to have been killed in fighting in the city.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ceasefire hinges on Huambo |agency=The Namibian |volume=3|issue=100 |date=11 February 1993}}</ref> On 13 February, government forces began withdrawing from the city center and UNTIA started to gain the upper hand and held 3/4 of the city including the airfield and barracks.<ref>{{cite news |title=Angolan Rebels Gain In Battle for Major City |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/02/13/world/angolan-rebels-gain-in-battle-for-major-city.html |access-date=28 March 2023 |agency=New York times |date=13 February 1993}}</ref> A government counter-attack on the 13th was able to regain some lost territory.<ref>{{cite news |title=MPLA races against time to reach Huambo |agency=The Namibian |volume=3|issue=104 |date=17 February 1993}}</ref> The Angolan government claimed that 1,000 people were killed on 15 February when UNITA shelled a civilian convoy leading out of the city. By 16 February 10,000 people are said to have been killed since the fighting began.<ref>{{cite news |title=Siege of Huambo Continues; 10,000 Reported Killed |url=https://apnews.com/article/7336639d9c950c39c192255d15dab0e6 |access-date=28 March 2023 |agency=associated press |date=16 February 1993}}</ref> By February 18, government forces held only a small part of the city.<ref>{{cite news |title=Parliament seeks to boost army's efforts |agency=The Namibian |volume=3|issue=105 |date=18 February 1993}}</ref> |
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During the conflict, the MPLA lost 40 tanks and most of its artillery and small arms were captured.<ref name="Battersby"/> UNITA claims that MPLA's casualties were 12,000. Other estimates of casualties totaled 12,000 to 15,000 with 5,000 being civilians.<ref name="Battersby"/> |
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On 10 February 500 civilians were killed in heavy fighting and shelling. 10,500 had been so far killed in the fighting.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hundreds,die in Huambo |agency=The Namibian |volume=3|issue=111 |date=26 February 1993}}</ref> On 26 February UNITA agreed with the UN to allow humanitarian aid to land at Huambo airport.<ref>{{cite news |title=Time For Talks Running out |agency=The Namibian |volume=3|issue=112 |date=1 March 1993}}</ref> On 1 March, the government claimed UNITA massacred 45 civilians and dumped their bodies into the river.<ref>{{cite news |title=UN Blames Unita for talks failure |agency=The Namibian |volume=3|issue=113 |date=2 March 1993}}</ref> On 8 March UNITA overran the last government stronghold claiming to have captured 5,000 government troops.<ref>{{cite news |title=Unita claims victory |agency=The Namibian |volume=3|issue=115 |date=8 March 1993}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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*"The ruins of rebellion" 1994, ''Economist'', 330, 7852, pp. 44–45. |
*"The ruins of rebellion" 1994, ''Economist'', 330, 7852, pp. 44–45. |
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[[Category:Angolan Civil War]] |
[[Category:Battles of the Angolan Civil War]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
[[Category:Huambo]] |
[[Category:Huambo]] |
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[[Category:1993 in Angola]] |
[[Category:1993 in Angola]] |
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[[Category:Conflicts in 1993]] |
[[Category:Conflicts in 1993]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
[[Category:MPLA]] |
[[Category:MPLA]] |
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[[Category:UNITA]] |
[[Category:UNITA]] |
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Latest revision as of 15:51, 18 December 2024
| 55 Day War | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Angolan Civil War | |||||||
 | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Angolan Armed Forces |
 UNITA | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 João de Matos Higino Carneiro |
Jonas Savimbi Demosthenes Amos Chilingutila | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
|
20,000 soldiers 8,000–10,000 militia | |||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
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12,000 killed 40 Tanks(UNITA claim) [1] | |||||||
The 55-day war was a battle in the city of Huambo between the rebel forces of UNITA led by Arlindo Pena and the MPLA-led Angolan government.[4] The 55-day war lasted between 9 January 1993 and 6 March 1993, resulting in UNITA emerging victorious and the destruction of most of the city.
Background
[edit]After UNITA’s defeat in the 1992 Angolan general election, UNITA rejected the election outcome and resumed hostilities. After the eruption of Hostilities, UNITA began a new offensive, this offensive targeted a number of provincial capitals including Kuito, Huambo, Malange, Luena, and Menongue, and aimed to force the MPLA into further concessions.[5]
Battle
[edit]The battle began on 9 January 1993 when UNITA launched an assault to take the city with 20,000 soldiers and 8,000-10,000 armed militia. UNTIA was able to take the city before being driven out of most of the city the same day, fighting remained in the residential areas of the city, and by January 11 100 people had already been killed.[6] UNITA soon launch another attack to take the city leading to heavy fighting.[7] Two members of the United Nations monitoring force were injured in the fighting. UNITA claimed to have destroyed an ammunition depo on 16 January.[8] By 19 January UNITA had surrounded the city and had claimed to have destroyed 12 T-55s and shot down a Sukhoi Su-25 fighter jet.[9]
On 2 February 1993, shelling killed 40 residents.[10] By February 11 2,000 people are said to have been killed in fighting in the city.[11] On 13 February, government forces began withdrawing from the city center and UNTIA started to gain the upper hand and held 3/4 of the city including the airfield and barracks.[12] A government counter-attack on the 13th was able to regain some lost territory.[13] The Angolan government claimed that 1,000 people were killed on 15 February when UNITA shelled a civilian convoy leading out of the city. By 16 February 10,000 people are said to have been killed since the fighting began.[14] By February 18, government forces held only a small part of the city.[15]
On 10 February 500 civilians were killed in heavy fighting and shelling. 10,500 had been so far killed in the fighting.[16] On 26 February UNITA agreed with the UN to allow humanitarian aid to land at Huambo airport.[17] On 1 March, the government claimed UNITA massacred 45 civilians and dumped their bodies into the river.[18] On 8 March UNITA overran the last government stronghold claiming to have captured 5,000 government troops.[19]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "A Renewal of Civil War Ruins an Angolan City". The Christian Science Monitor. 16 April 1993. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
- ^ "Angolan Rebels Win Concessions After War Gains". The Christian Science Monitor. 22 April 1993. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
- ^ "Angola's people in 'internal exile'". Vol. 3, no. 115. The Namibian. 4 March 1993.
- ^ Battersby, John (1993). "A Renewal of Civil War Ruins an Angolan City". The Christian Science Monitor (April 16). Retrieved 18 October 2016.
- ^ "Angolan Rebels Win Concessions After War Gains". The Christian Science Monitor. 22 April 1993. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
- ^ "Battle rages For Huambo". Vol. 3, no. 77. Namibian. 11 January 1993.
- ^ "Unita battles to regain Huambo". Vol. 3, no. 79. The Namibian. 13 January 1993.
- ^ "UN withdraws from Angolan battle zones". Vol. 3, no. 82. The Namibian. 18 January 1993.
- ^ "Tales of Horror from Huambo". Vol. 3, no. 83. The Namibian. 19 January 1993.
- ^ "Angola Prepares for State of Emergency". Vol. 3, no. 95. The Namibian. 4 February 1993.
- ^ "Ceasefire hinges on Huambo". Vol. 3, no. 100. The Namibian. 11 February 1993.
- ^ "Angolan Rebels Gain In Battle for Major City". New York times. 13 February 1993. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
- ^ "MPLA races against time to reach Huambo". Vol. 3, no. 104. The Namibian. 17 February 1993.
- ^ "Siege of Huambo Continues; 10,000 Reported Killed". associated press. 16 February 1993. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
- ^ "Parliament seeks to boost army's efforts". Vol. 3, no. 105. The Namibian. 18 February 1993.
- ^ "Hundreds,die in Huambo". Vol. 3, no. 111. The Namibian. 26 February 1993.
- ^ "Time For Talks Running out". Vol. 3, no. 112. The Namibian. 1 March 1993.
- ^ "UN Blames Unita for talks failure". Vol. 3, no. 113. The Namibian. 2 March 1993.
- ^ "Unita claims victory". Vol. 3, no. 115. The Namibian. 8 March 1993.
- Bibliography
- Porto, João Gomes; Alden, Chris; Parsons, Imogen (2007). From Soldiers to Citizens: Demilitarization of Conflict and Society. Ashgate. ISBN 9780754692287. OCLC 318536876.
- Malley-Morrison, Kathleen (2009). State Violence and the Right to Peace: Western Europe and North America. Praeger Security International/ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9780275996475. OCLC 319868186.
Further reading
[edit]- "The battle for Huambo" 1993, Economist, 326, 7801, pp. 43–45.
- "Fingers crossed" 1994, Economist, 333, 7893, p. 44.
- "The ruins of rebellion" 1994, Economist, 330, 7852, pp. 44–45.