Defense minister urges national unity against treacherous plans of enemies, traitors

Defense Minister Hassan Rasheed urged the Maldivian people on Tuesday to remain united in order to protect the country from treacherous plans by enemies and traitors alike.

He made the remark in an address on occasion of Victory Day, which commemorates the Maldives’ success in foiling the armed attack of 1988 - the deadliest terror attack in Maldives’ history.

The foiled attack of November 3, 1988, was orchestrated by a group of Maldivians with the aid of armed mercenaries from Tamil secessionist organization People's Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), in an attempt to overthrow then-President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s administration.

The deadly attack killed 19 Maldivian citizens - eight soldiers and 11 civilians - and left scores more injured.

Hassan Rasheed described it as a dark day that threatened Maldives’ independence and sovereignty and engulfed the entire country in fear.

“As we commemorate Victory Day today, we, too, must be work in unity to save the country from the treacherous plans of its enemies and traitors,” he said.

He mourned the loss of the 19 innocent lives in the attack.

Hassan Rasheed named the importance of prioritizing national interests over personal ones as one of the greatest lessons of Victory Day.

He said that this was exactly what the soldiers who sacrificed their lives demonstrated when they fought valiantly to protect the country, its independence, sovereignty and Islamic faith.

This country will remain forever proud of them, he said.

“That was the day the merciless attacks of our enemies martyred 19 innocent Maldivian citizens and injured scores more. The lesson we must all learn on Victory Day is to prioritize our nation,” he said.

Concluding his address, Hassan Rasheed paid tribute to the martyrs, and prayed they find eternal peace in Paradise.