President: Maldivian military a brave, exemplary force

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih praised the Maldivian armed forces on Tuesday, describing the military as a brave and exemplary force.

He made the remark in his address on occasion of Victory Day, commemorating the defeat of a bloody coup attempt led by Abdulla Luthfee with the support of armed foreign mercenaries on November 3, 1988 to oust then-President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

President Solih said that the Maldivian defense force continues to show exemplary performance in defending the Maldivian people from all threats facing the nation.

“We shall never forget the exemplary bravery and readiness shows by Maldivian soldiers to protect Maldives from the terrorist attack of November 3.  And the friendship and solidarity raised by the Maldivian people at that perilous moment is a noble example of patriotism that will forever remain fresh within the hearts of the Maldivian people,” he said.

President Solih said that the Maldives commemorates the day while drawing courage and wisdom from the noble and patriotic jihad of the fallen heroes of the day.

“One of the greatest lessons learnt by the Maldivian people on Victory Day is the importance of unconditional love for our motherland. The sacrifice of the soldiers and civilians, who laid down their lives in defense of the religion of Islam and this nation, shows the strength and nobleness of the love for the nation within the hearts of the children of Maldives. The effects of this love and respect will go on for ages, passing from generation to generation,” he said.

President Solih thanked the civilians for the assistance and cooperation they provided to the state to defeat the terror attack of November 3, and thanked the Indian government and Indian people for the military assistance India provided at the Maldivian government’s request.

He also thanked Defense Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi for her efforts to modernize the Maldivian military and foster public confidence in Maldivian soldiers, as well as the leadership of Chief of Defense Force Major General Abdulla Shamaal to develop the military.

“BRAVE HEROES OF NOVEMBER 3 DESERVE ENDLESS PRAISE”

Defense Minister Mariya, in her address on occasion of Victory Day, said that the brave heroes who rose to defend Maldives against the terrorist attack of November 3 deserve endless praise.

Mariya noted that the training and resources available to the Maldivian military back in 1988 is vastly different from current times.

“But the noble example of courage and bravery shown by martyrs such as Martyr Corporal Adam Hussan deserves boundless praise,” she said.

The attack of November 3 resulted in the death of 19 Maldivian citizens; eight soldiers and 11 civilians.