Chief of Defence Force, Major General Ahmed Shiyam has said the country’s armed forces are well prepared to thwart any foreign aggression.
Speaking at a special function held on Wednesday night to mark the 28th Victory Day, he said “the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) cerebrates Victory Day with honour and pride.”
He said the Maldivian army was not ready for the mercenary attack on November 3, 1988, yet the soldiers defended the country with overwhelming courage and bravery, and ultimately gained a great victory.
The attack, led by a group of Maldivians, was carried out by armed mercenaries of a Tamil secessionist organisation from Sri Lanka.
19 Maldivians lost their lives that day.
Major General Shiyam said that “MNDF has now established commands across the country, and the armed forces are now well trained and prepared to stop any such attack.”
Speaking at the function, Minister of Defence and National Security Adam Shareef Umar called on army personnel to put their duty to the nation first when looking at the country’s political situation. He said those ravenous for the country’s presidency would always work to disrupt the peace and harmony in the country.
The minister said “all Maldivians need to learn from the Victory Day attack and other such incidents, and work together to establish a peaceful environment in the country.”