1988 Maldives coup attempt

The 1988 Maldives coup attempt, also known as the November 3 coup, was a significant political upheaval in the Maldives, marked by an armed insurrection aimed at overthrowing the government of then-President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Initiated by a group of approximately 40 mercenaries from the Tamil Tigers rebel organization in Sri Lanka, the coup sought to exploit dissatisfaction among Maldivians with Gayoom's authoritarian rule and alleged human rights abuses. The attempt was thwarted within hours by security forces and local militia, supported by loyalist elements of the military. In the aftermath, the government intensified its repression of dissent, leading to widespread arrests. The coup attempt underscored the vulnerabilities of the Maldivian state and set the stage for future political instability.