55 Day War

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The 55-day war was a battle in the city of Huambo between the rebel forces of UNITA led by Arlindo Pena and the MPLA-led Angolan government. The 55-day war lasted between 9 January 1993 and 6 March 1993, resulting in UNITA emerging victorious and the destruction of most of the city. After UNITA’s defeat in the 1992 Angolan general election, UNITA rejected the election outcome and resumed hostilities. After the eruption of Hostilities, UNITA began a new offensive, this offensive targeted a number of provincial capitals including Kuito, Huambo, Malange, Luena, and Menongue, and aimed to force the MPLA into further concessions. The battle began on 9 January 1993 when UNITA launched an assault to take the city with 20,000 soldiers and 8,000-10,000 armed militia. UNTIA was able to take the city before being driven out of most of the city the same day, fighting remained in the residential areas of the city, and by January 11 100 people had already been killed. UNITA soon launch another attack to take the city leading to heavy fighting. Two members of the United Nations monitoring force were injured in the fighting. UNITA claimed to have destroyed an ammunition depo on 16 January. By 19 January UNITA had surrounded the city and had claimed to have destroyed 12 T-55s and shot down a Sukhoi Su-25 fighter jet.