The Maldives marks Victory Day on 3 November, a public holiday that commemorates the defeat of an armed attempt to overthrow the government in 1988.
What happened
In the early hours of 3 November 1988, around 80 armed mercenaries from the People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), a Sri Lankan militant group, came ashore in Malé. They were working with a group of Maldivians led by businessman Abdullah Luthufee.
The attackers tried to take the National Security Service headquarters, the radio and television centre and the president's office. Members of the National Security Service held their headquarters, while President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom went into hiding and asked other countries for help.
Operation Cactus
India answered the request. In what it called Operation Cactus, Indian paratroopers landed at the airport on Hulhulé about nine hours after the appeal, crossed to Malé and restored control of the capital within hours.
Some of the attackers fled on a hijacked freighter, the MV Progress Light, taking hostages. Indian Navy ships later intercepted the vessel near Sri Lanka and the attackers were captured. Nineteen Maldivians lost their lives in the attack. They are honoured as martyrs.
Why the day matters
Victory Day honours those who defended the country's sovereignty, above all the 19 Maldivians who gave their lives as martyrs. For a small island nation, the events of 1988 are a reminder of how vulnerable it can be, and of the value of unity and security.
The day is marked each year with flag hoisting at the 3 November National Monument in Malé, official ceremonies and awards, and an address to the nation by the president.