Operation Savannah (Angola)
Overview
Operation Savannah was the name given to the South African Defence Force
's 1975–1976 covert intervention in the Angolan Civil War
.
After a struggle of 14 years, aided by the so-called "Carnation Revolution
" of 25 April 1974 which ended Portugal
's dictatorial colonial government, Angola's three main liberation forces, FNLA, UNITA
and the leftist MPLA began competing for dominance in the country.
Fighting began in November 1974, starting in the capital city, Luanda
, and spreading quickly across all of Angola, which was soon divided among the combatants.
South African Defence Force
The South African Defence Force was the South African armed forces from 1957 until 1994. The former Union Defence Force was renamed to the South African Defence Force in the Defence Act of 1957...
's 1975–1976 covert intervention in the Angolan Civil War
Angolan Civil War
The Angolan Civil War was a major civil conflict in the Southern African state of Angola, beginning in 1975 and continuing, with some interludes, until 2002. The war began immediately after Angola became independent from Portugal in November 1975. Prior to this, a decolonisation conflict had taken...
.
After a struggle of 14 years, aided by the so-called "Carnation Revolution
Carnation Revolution
The Carnation Revolution , also referred to as the 25 de Abril , was a military coup started on 25 April 1974, in Lisbon, Portugal, coupled with an unanticipated and extensive campaign of civil resistance...
" of 25 April 1974 which ended Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
's dictatorial colonial government, Angola's three main liberation forces, FNLA, UNITA
UNITA
The National Union for the Total Independence of Angola is the second-largest political party in Angola. Founded in 1966, UNITA fought with the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola in the Angolan War for Independence and then against the MPLA in the ensuing civil war .The war was one...
and the leftist MPLA began competing for dominance in the country.
Fighting began in November 1974, starting in the capital city, Luanda
Luanda
Luanda, formerly named São Paulo da Assunção de Loanda, is the capital and largest city of Angola. Located on Angola's coast with the Atlantic Ocean, Luanda is both Angola's chief seaport and its administrative center. It has a population of at least 5 million...
, and spreading quickly across all of Angola, which was soon divided among the combatants.
