1981 Terrorism & Security Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1981 Terrorism & Security Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 25 Jan Iran Hostage Crisis resolution on January 25, 1981: The Iran Hostage Crisis officially ended on January 25, 1981, when the last 52 American hostages were released after 444 days of captivity. This event occurred just minutes after Ronald Reagan was inaugurated as President of the United States. The resolution of the crisis marked a significant moment in U.S.-Iran relations and had lasting implications for American foreign policy. source: archives.gov
- 15 Mar Pakistani jet hostages released after 13-day hijacking: On March 15, 1981, the 13-day hijacking of Pakistan International Airlines Flight 326 ended peacefully in Damascus, Syria. The hijackers, members of the Al-Zulfiqar group led by Murtaza Bhutto, had diverted the flight from Karachi to Kabul and then to Damascus, demanding the release of 54 political prisoners. The Pakistani government agreed to their demands, leading to the release of all 147 hostages. source: news.bbc.co.uk
- 22 Apr Four gunmen rob Tucson bank of $3.3 million: On April 22, 1981, four masked gunmen robbed the First National Bank of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, making off with $3.3 million, the largest bank robbery in U.S. history at that time. The robbers, armed with revolvers, automatic pistols, and a shotgun, held the bank manager and janitor hostage, forced the manager to open the vault, and escaped in a van disguised as a telephone company vehicle. The FBI launched an extensive investigation, leading to the identification of suspects and their subsequent arrests. source: upi.com
- 23 May Hostage situation at the Central Bank of Barcelona: On May 23, 1981, eleven heavily armed gunmen stormed the Central Bank of Barcelona, taking approximately 300 hostages, including employees and passersby. The assailants, led by José Juan Martínez Gómez, known as 'El Rubio,' demanded the release of four military officers involved in a failed coup attempt three months prior. The siege lasted 37 hours, ending with the intervention of anti-terrorist commandos who freed the hostages and arrested nine of the assailants. The true motives behind the assault remain unclear, with theories ranging from an attempted robbery to the acquisition of compromising documents related to the events of February 23, 1981. source: washingtonpost.com
- 10 Jun IRA prisoners escape from Crumlin Road Jail in Belfast: On June 10, 1981, eight members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) escaped from Crumlin Road Jail in Belfast. Armed with smuggled handguns, they overpowered prison officers, took hostages, and donned their uniforms to pass through security gates. After a shootout with security forces, they fled onto Crumlin Road, where waiting accomplices provided getaway vehicles. The escapees included Joe Doherty, Paul Magee, and Angelo Fusco. source: upi.com
- 22 Jun Terrorist Attack in Greece: Two terrorists affiliated with the Habash group conducted an attack on a travel agency in Greece, resulting in the tragic deaths of two individuals. This incident highlights the ongoing political tensions and terrorist activities of the era.
- 02 Jul US Supreme Court upholds executive actions during Iran Hostage Crisis: On July 2, 1981, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously upheld President Jimmy Carter's executive actions during the Iran Hostage Crisis. The Court ruled that the President had the authority to freeze Iranian assets and suspend civil claims against Iran, emphasizing the executive branch's broad powers in foreign affairs. This decision affirmed the President's role in negotiating the release of American hostages held in Iran. source: cia.gov
- 14 Jul Bombing in Bangui, Central African Republic: On July 14, 1981, a bomb exploded in the Le Club cinema in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, resulting in three fatalities and 32 injuries. The Central African National Liberation Movement (MCLN), led by Rodolphe Iddi Lala, claimed responsibility for the attack, demanding the withdrawal of French troops from the country. In response, the government banned the MCLN and arrested its members. source: cia.gov
- 28 Aug South African military incursion into Angola: On August 28, 1981, South African forces initiated Operation Protea, a military operation targeting South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) bases in southern Angola. The operation lasted until September 4, 1981, during which South African Defence Forces (SADF) occupied Cunene province, advancing up to 60 miles into Angolan territory. The operation resulted in significant casualties, with South African officials reporting over 1,000 deaths among SWAPO guerrillas and Angolan soldiers. The Angolan government reported that Xangongo was destroyed and that there was heavy bombing around the town of Ngiva, 35 miles from the border. The United Nations Secretary-General at the time, Kurt Waldheim, condemned the incursion as a "grave violation" and called for the immediate withdrawal of South African forces. source: washingtonpost.com
- 29 Aug 1981 Vienna synagogue attack: On August 29, 1981, two Palestinian terrorists from the Abu Nidal Organization attacked the Stadttempel synagogue in Vienna during a Bar Mitzvah service. The assailants, posing as Jews, opened fire and threw grenades, resulting in two fatalities and 18 injuries. The attackers were apprehended and later received life sentences for their actions. source: jta.org
- 30 Aug Assassination of Iranian President and Prime Minister in 1981: On August 30, 1981, a bomb exploded in the office of Prime Minister Mohammad Javad Bahonar in Tehran, killing both Bahonar and President Mohammad Ali Rajai, along with six other officials. The attack was attributed to Masoud Keshmiri, a member of the People's Mujahedin of Iran (MEK), who infiltrated the Islamic Republican Party and planted the bomb in a briefcase. This assassination occurred two months after the Haft-e Tir bombing, which had already targeted high-ranking officials. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 31 Aug Bombing at Ramstein Air Base injures 15 people: On August 31, 1981, a terrorist bomb exploded outside the U.S. Air Forces in Europe headquarters at Ramstein Air Base in West Germany, injuring 15 people, including two senior U.S. Air Force officers. The Red Army Faction, a left-wing terrorist group, claimed responsibility for the attack, which caused extensive damage to the building and vehicles in the parking lot. source: washingtonpost.com
- 30 Sep Pakistani commandos rescue hostages from hijacked Indian Airlines Flight 423: On September 30, 1981, Pakistani commandos stormed an Indian Airlines Boeing 737 at Lahore Airport, rescuing 60 hostages held by five Sikh nationalists who had hijacked the flight from New Delhi to Srinagar. The hijackers, armed with daggers and a hand grenade, had diverted the plane to Pakistan, demanding a ransom and the release of a radical Sikh leader. The rescue operation was completed 90 minutes before the hijackers' deadline, with no reported injuries among the hostages. source: washingtonpost.com
- 10 Oct IRA bombing at Chelsea Barracks: On October 10, 1981, the Provisional IRA detonated a remote-controlled nail bomb outside Chelsea Barracks in London. The blast killed two civilians and injured 40 people, including 23 soldiers. The attack targeted a bus carrying members of the Irish Guards returning from ceremonial duty at the Tower of London. source: washingtonpost.com
- 20 Oct Truck bomb explodes outside Antwerp synagogue, killing three: On October 20, 1981, a truck bomb exploded outside a Portuguese Jewish synagogue in Antwerp, Belgium, shortly before Simchat Torah services were to begin. The blast resulted in three fatalities and 106 injuries, with extensive damage to the synagogue and surrounding buildings. The Palestinian terrorist group Black September claimed responsibility for the attack. source: upi.com
- 29 Nov 1981 Azbakiyah bombing in Damascus: On November 29, 1981, a car bomb exploded in the al-Azbakiyah neighborhood of Damascus, Syria, near a military police office, killing at least 64 people and wounding 135. The Syrian government blamed the Muslim Brotherhood, while a group called the Organisation for the Liberation of Lebanon from Foreigners claimed responsibility. The attack destroyed three five-story apartment buildings and was the fourth bomb attack in the capital since August. source: csmonitor.com
- 17 Dec Red Brigades kidnap Brigadier General James L. Dozier: On December 17, 1981, the Red Brigades, an Italian terrorist group, kidnapped Brigadier General James L. Dozier in Verona, Italy. The general was held captive for 42 days before being rescued by Italian authorities in a police operation. This incident highlighted the ongoing conflict between the Italian government and leftist extremist groups during that period. source: britannica.com
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