Just nine days after declaring independence from Portugal, East Timor found itself facing a brutal occupation that would last for over two decades. Human Cost and Atrocities Immediate Violence and Suffering The immediate aftermath of the invasion was characterized by extreme violence.
Portugal's Withdrawal and the Catalyst for the East Timor Invasion
Their struggle, however, was largely hidden from the world's view due to strict press restrictions and Indonesian military control. It is estimated that between 100,000 and 200,000 Timorese lost their lives during this period, a staggering number considering the pre-invasion population.
The Mechanics of the Invasion On the morning of December 7, 1975, Indonesian warships positioned offshore began bombarding the capital, Dili. International Response and Resistance While the invasion was largely ignored or condemned in passing by the global superpowers, who viewed Indonesia as a crucial anti-communist ally, the resistance movement within East Timor never wavered.
Portugal's Withdrawal and the Lead-Up to the Invasion
By the afternoon, Indonesian forces had secured key infrastructure, including the airport and the radio station. The infrastructure of the new state was systematically dismantled, and the economy was integrated into Indonesia's system, effectively stripping the Timorese of their means of subsistence and traditional governance structures.
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