The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has held a flag-raising ceremony to mark its 134th anniversary.
Minister of Defence and National Security, Hassan Rasheed, inaugurated the ceremony at 06:00 this morning. During the event, the Minister announced this year’s theme for the MNDF anniversary as “Military Ethics – The Advancement of the Army”.
Chief of Defence Force, Major General Ibrahim Hilmee, attended the ceremony, along with Vice Chief of Defence Force Brigadier General Ahmed Giyas. General officers, the Sergeant Major of MNDF Adnan Ali, as well as officers, warrant officers and other officers from enlisted ranks were also present.
The ceremony concluded with a special prayer and a soldiers’ song.
MNDF was established in the Maldives on April 21, 1892. MNDF faced the biggest challenge in 1988 when defending the country against a coup attempt supported by armed mercenaries of a Tamil secessionist group from Sri Lanka. Since then, MNDF has expanded its reach by establishing military bases across the country and improving logistical capabilities and training methods.