1983 Terrorism & Security Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1983 Terrorism & Security Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 20 May Church Street bombing in Pretoria: On May 20, 1983, a car bomb exploded outside the South African Air Force headquarters in Pretoria, killing 19 people, including the two perpetrators, and injuring 217 others. The attack was carried out by uMkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the African National Congress, and was authorized by ANC President Oliver Tambo as a retaliatory measure against South African military actions in neighboring countries. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 15 Jul ASALA bombing at Orly Airport kills eight: On July 15, 1983, the Armenian militant group ASALA detonated a bomb at the Turkish Airlines check-in counter in Orly Airport's south terminal in Paris. The explosion killed eight people and injured 55. Varoujan Garabedian, a Syrian-Armenian national, was arrested and later sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in the attack. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 06 Aug Bomb explodes at Temple Israel in Johannesburg before scheduled ceremony: On August 6, 1983, a bomb exploded at Temple Israel in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, just hours before State President Marais Viljoen was scheduled to attend a ceremony there. The explosion caused no injuries. The African National Congress (ANC) was suspected of being responsible for this attack, which was part of a series of bombings in South Africa during that period. source: sahistory.org.za
- 23 Sep Gulf Air Flight 771 bombing: On September 23, 1983, Gulf Air Flight 771, a Boeing 737-2P6 en route from Karachi, Pakistan, to Abu Dhabi, UAE, was destroyed by a bomb in the baggage compartment during its approach to Abu Dhabi International Airport. The explosion caused the aircraft to crash in the desert near Jebel Ali, resulting in the deaths of all 112 occupants, including 105 passengers and 7 crew members. The majority of the passengers were Pakistani nationals returning to their jobs in the Gulf after spending the Eid al-Adha holiday with their families in Pakistan. The Abu Nidal Organization, a Palestinian nationalist militant group, was believed to have planted the bomb to pressure Gulf States into paying protection money to avoid attacks on their soil. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 23 Oct 1983 Beirut barracks bombings: On October 23, 1983, two truck bombs were detonated in Beirut, Lebanon, targeting U.S. and French military barracks. The attacks resulted in 307 fatalities: 241 U.S. service members and 58 French soldiers. The explosions were among the deadliest against Western military forces in the Middle East, leading to the withdrawal of international peacekeeping forces from Lebanon in early 1984. source: britannica.com
- 04 Nov Suicide truck bombing targets Israeli military headquarters in Tyre, Lebanon: On November 4, 1983, a suicide truck bomb exploded at the Israeli military headquarters in Tyre, Lebanon, killing 28 Israeli soldiers and 32 Lebanese detainees. The attack was claimed by the Islamic Jihad Organization, a Shiite militant group loyal to Iran's Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. In retaliation, Israeli jets bombed Palestinian positions in the mountains overlooking Beirut. source: washingtonpost.com
- 05 Dec Car bomb in West Beirut kills 16 and wounds 100: On December 5, 1983, a car bomb exploded in the Tariq Jdidah neighborhood of West Beirut, resulting in 16 fatalities and 100 injuries. The attack was part of a series of bombings during that period, including a suicide car bombing at the U.S. embassy in April 1983 and the devastating truck bombings at the U.S. Marine and French paratrooper barracks in October 1983. source: britannica.com
- 06 Dec Terrorist bomb kills four on Jerusalem bus: On December 6, 1983, a bomb exploded on a crowded No. 18 bus in Jerusalem, killing four people and injuring 43 others. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that one of its guerrilla units planted the bomb aboard a 'military bus.' Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir vowed that the perpetrators would not remain unpunished. source: washingtonpost.com
- 12 Dec Terrorist attack on U.S. Embassy in Kuwait City: On December 12, 1983, a truck laden with explosives rammed into the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait City, causing significant damage and resulting in five fatalities, including the suicide bomber. The attack was part of a series of coordinated bombings targeting multiple sites in Kuwait, including the French Embassy and the Kuwait International Airport. The perpetrators were believed to be members of Al Dawa, an Iranian-backed group. In response, Kuwait tightened security measures and arrested several individuals in connection with the attacks. source: washingtonpost.com
- 13 Dec Harrods bombing by Provisional IRA: On December 13, 1983, a bomb planted by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) exploded at Harrods department store in London. The attack resulted in six deaths and over 90 injuries, marking one of the most significant incidents during the Troubles. The bombing was part of the IRA's campaign against British rule in Northern Ireland and aimed to instill fear in the British public. source: bbc.com
- 29 Dec Terrorist bombings in France: On December 29, 1983, a series of terrorist bombings occurred in France, targeting public places and resulting in multiple casualties. These attacks heightened security concerns and led to increased counter-terrorism measures in the country. source: reuters.com
- 31 Dec Terrorist bombings in France: On December 31, 1983, further terrorist bombings took place in France, exacerbating the ongoing security crisis. These incidents prompted widespread public fear and led to a national discussion on terrorism and safety measures. source: reuters.com
What happened in 1983?
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