Aden, counter-insurgency campaign in (1964-7). In 1964 the British government announced that independence was to be granted to the Federation of South Arabia (FSA) by 1968, but British forces would remain in Aden. Arab nationalists resented the continuation of government by traditional rulers and the British military presence. Encouraged by Nasser, they formed the National Liberation Front (NLF) in Yemen and in late 1964 began a campaign in the Radfan border region, stirring up the local tribes. Between January and June 1964 Federal and British forces campaigned in the Radfan, and succeeded in largely suppressing the revolt. From November 1964 the NLF began to focus on an urban terrorist campaign in Aden, targeting British troops and their families in addition to members of the local security forces, and others associated with the FSA government. The campaign of intimidation made it difficult for the security forces to gather intelligence, as the local population was reluctant to co-operate. This problem was exacerbated after the British government announced in February 1966 that the British forces would be withdrawn on independence. Attempts to carry out a ‘hearts and minds’ policy were undermined, as many locals did not believe that the FSA would survive without British support. The NLF escalated their attacks and a second group of nationalist insurgents, the Front for the Liberation of Occupied South Yemen (FLOSY) began a terrorist campaign in December 1966. Two mutinies by local police led to 1st Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders under Lt Col Colin ‘Mad Mitch’ Mitchell reoccupying the Crater area of Aden in July 1967. As the date for the British withdrawal in November 1967 approached, the NLF and FLOSY turned on each other and fought for control of Aden. Aden was Britain's last colonial counter-insurgency campaign: its conduct was marred by even poorer military-political co-ordination than had been achieved during the Malayan emergency or Cyprus insurgency.
Bibliography
- Pimlott, J. (ed.), British Military Operations 1945-1984 (London, 1984)
— Gary Sheffield
