President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said today the courage and jihad of Maldivian soldiers during the events of 3 November 1988 offer lessons on safeguarding the country’s independence.

In a social media post marking Victory Day today, the President extended greetings to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and the public.

“Lessons should be learned from the courage and noble jihad of the Maldivian soldiers to ensure that our land remains independent,” he said.

The President and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed attended the flag raising and guard mounting ceremony held to mark the occasion.

Cabinet ministers and senior government officials also attended the ceremony.

This year’s Victory Day commemorations began with congregational Fajr prayers.

Victory Day commemorates the failure of the coup attempt on 3 November 1988, when Maldivian rebels backed by Tamil mercenaries attempted to overthrow the government of then-President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

The attack claimed the lives of 19 Maldivians, including eight soldiers and 11 civilians.

Following the failed attempt, the attackers fled aboard the cargo ship Progress Light, which was intercepted at sea by Indian forces.

The vessel was attacked and sunk, while those responsible for the coup and surviving militants were arrested and brought to Male'.

Many of the hostages taken during the attack were also rescued.

Abdulla Luthfee and Sagar Ahmed Nasir, who were among those responsible for the attack, were sentenced to death by the High Court. However, then President Gayoom commuted their sentences to life imprisonment under powers granted to him by the Constitution at the time.