Siyam: Nov 3 attack shows how those blinded by greed for power will not hesitate to betray own country

The deadly terror attack of November 3, 1988 shows how individuals blinded by the greed for power will not hesitate to exploit even the slightest of opportunities to betray the nation and commit even the greatest of atrocities, says Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, the president of Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) and parliamentary representative for Dh. Meedhoo.

Siyam made the remark in an address on Tuesday on occasion of Victory Day.

The Victory Day commemorates the Maldives’ success in foiling the armed attack of 1988 - the deadliest terror attack in Maldives’ history.

The foiled attack of November 3, 1988, was orchestrated by a group of Maldivians with the aid of armed mercenaries from Tamil secessionist organization People's Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), in an attempt to overthrow then-President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s administration.

In his address, Siyam noted that the deadly attack had marked the biggest threat to the Maldives’ independence and sovereignty in recent history.

“The memories of that dark and tragic day will never fade,” said Siyam, as he paid tribute to the national heroes who sacrificed their lives to protect the country.

 The deadly attack killed 19 Maldivian citizens - eight soldiers and 11 civilians - and left scores more injured.

Siyam said that the attack teaches many lessons, the bitterest truth of which is that it was orchestrated by Maldivians who turned traitor to their own country.

“Reflecting deeply on the circumstances surrounding this attack reveals that individuals blinded by selfishness and the greed for power will not hesitate to betray their own country and commit even the greatest of atrocities by exploiting even the slightest of opportunities,” he said.

ނަސްރުގެ ދުވަހުގެ ތަހުނިޔާ އެންމެހައި ލޮބުވެތި ދިވެހީންނަށް އަރިސްކުރަމެވެ. އަޅުގަނޑުމެންގެ މި ލޮބުވެތި ވަތަނުގެ މިނިވަންކަމާއި އިސްތިގުލާލަށް ބުރޫއަރާނޭ ފަދަ އެއްވެސް އަމަލަކަށް ޖާގަނުދިނުމަށް ގޮވައިލަމެވެ. އަދި އެ ފަދަ ކޮންމެ ހަރަކާތެއްގެ ދިފާއުގައި ދިވެހި ދަރީން ގުރުބާންވެފައިވާ ކަމީ މި ގައުމުގެ ތާރީޚުގެ ސަފުހާތަކުން ފެންނާން އޮތް ހަގީގަތެކެވެ. ތާރީޚީ މި ފަދަ ކޮންމެ ހާދިސާއަކުން ދިވެހީން އިބުރަތް ލިބިގަނެ ގައުމުގެ ދިފާއުގައި ދެމިތިބުމަށް އަޒުމުކަނޑައަޅަމާތޯއެވެ. މި ގައުމުގެ މިނިވަންކަމާއި އިސްތިގުލާލު ތާއަބަދަށް ދަމަހައްޓަވާށިއެވެ. އާމީން

— Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, MP (@Sun_Siyam) November 3, 2026

He urged Maldivian citizens to stand firm, prepared to bravely face all and any threat to the country’s peace, independence and sovereignty.

He also urged Maldivians to remain loyal to their country and become responsible citizens who prioritize national interests over personal interests in all matters.

He concluded his address with a prayer for peace, independence and prosperity for the country, and protection all aggressions and dangers it may face.