The depopulation of Havaru Thinadhoo occurred in 1962, following the formation of the United Suvadive Republic. Thinadhoo, the wealthiest island at the time, was forcibly depopulated and destroyed. Before this event, which has been described as ethnic cleansing, the island had a population of over 6,000. It is estimated that as many as 4,000 residents either perished from starvation or were killed.
Background Havaru Thinadhoo once operated nine long-haul ships, with Gadhdhoo operating two ships, Nilandhoo operating three ships, and Dhaandhoo operating two ships, bringing the total to 16 ships in Huvadhu. The island was renowned for its frequent voyages, and its wealth enabled the southern atolls of the Maldives to form a nascent thalassocracy.
First rebellion
In July 1959, the southernmost atolls, consisting of Huvadhu Atoll, Addu Atoll, and Fuvahmulah, which had benefited economically from the British presence, severed ties with the Maldivian government and formed an independent state, the United Suvadive Republic, with Abdullah Afeef as president and Hithadhoo as its capital. This secession followed Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir's intention to close RAF Gan and expel the British.
Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir, accompanied by army personnel, traveled to Thinadhoo on a gunboat and attacked the residents, arresting the alleged leaders of the United Suvadive Republic present at the time.
The United Kingdom expressed disapproval of the Maldivian government due to the violent attack on the residents of Huvadhu on 7 August 1959.
Partitioning of Huvadu Atoll After the first rebellion, Huvadhu Atoll was partitioned into two administrative regions, Huvadu East and Huvadu West, which were later renamed Huvadu South and Huvadu North. Today, these regions are known as Gaafu Alifu Atoll and Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll.
Second rebellion All available photos and videos related to the events involving the Maldives Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir and Thinadhoo are associated with the first uprising. No public media has been released regarding the second uprising. However, it is alleged that Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir had access to videos and images captured during the event.
The second rebellion was triggered by several laws enacted in the Maldives that significantly impacted the merchants of Havaru Thinadhoo. These laws included increased tariffs and a new payment mechanism that required all payments for sold items to pass through the Maldivian government, resulting in prolonged delays for merchants in Havaru Thinadhoo. This restructuring severely hindered the island's thriving economy.
Another contributing factor was the abusive behavior of Maldivian government soldiers stationed in Havaru Thinadhoo. Despite repeated appeals to the Maldivian government to improve conditions on the island, no response was received. Karankaa Rasheed, a staff member of the Maldives' People's Majlis (parliament), later claimed that no such letter was ever received and that the mission to quell the insurrection was kept a state secret.
Electing the leader of United Suvadive for Thinadhoo Olha Didi and Hassan Didi, along with Muhammadh Hameed, were among the individuals working to improve conditions in Thinadhoo. However, upon learning of their imminent detention by Maldivian authorities, they were in Addu.
Discussions were held with Thinadhoo residents in Addu, and 190 individuals participated in the voting process to re-establish the United Suvadive Republic and elect a leader from Huvadhoo to lead the movement. Olha Didi and Hassan Didi won the election, with Olha Didi receiving 140 votes. Both Olha Didi and Hassan Didi were 19 years old at the time.
Another meeting was organized in Addu, where it was decided that, on the night of 5 June 1961, supporters of the United Suvadive Republic would enter Thinadhoo from the Baraasil side, arrest Maldivian troops and their representatives, and take them as captives to Addu.
During a subsequent meeting, Afeef Didi, president of the United Suvadive Republic in Addu, called for the reinstatement of the United Suvadive Republic in Huvadhoo Atoll.
Turmoil in the south The re-establishment of the United Suvadive Republic in Thinadhoo led to turmoil in the region. New legislation was enacted that authorized imprisonment, confiscation of property, and destruction of homes belonging to anyone who publicly opposed the United Suvadive. Although the population of Huvadhoo Atoll, particularly Thinadhoo, was divided in their support for the United Suvadive Republic, many were hesitant to express dissent due to the harsh penalties.
Before the arrival of the vessel Silvercrest, internal strife erupted in Thinadhoo. According to residents of Gaddhoo, United Suvadive supporters ransacked the island, destroyed properties, and beat residents who disagreed with their cause.
Arrival of Silvercrest On 30 January 1962, between 2:30 PM and 3:00 PM, the vessel Silvercrest, commanded by Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir, arrived at Havaru Thinadhoo. The vessel carried soldiers equipped with five rifles and ten submachine guns.
In anticipation of Silvercrest's arrival, Thinadhoo had constructed a sand wall called "Fasbadi," which was 400 feet long, 4 feet high, and 3 feet wide. This bulletproof wall was located near the front jetty area. Upon sighting Silvercrest, Olha Didi and Hassan Didi urged the people to take cover behind the Fasbadi wall, fearing that the vessel might open fire as it approached the island. Muhammadh Hameed, another senior United Suvadive representative for Thinadhoo, was not present on the island at the time.
Failed attempt to capture dhoanis Before approaching Thinadhoo, Silvercrest chased a dhoani carrying men and women returning from work on the neighboring island of Kaadeddhoo. It is believed that the capture of the dhoani was an attempt to use it to infiltrate Thinadhoo. When this attempt failed, Silvercrest chased four additional dhoanis returning to Thinadhoo. However, all four attempts were unsuccessful, and Silvercrest fired warning shots that were ignored. As a result of the gunfire, one crew member from one of the dhoanis went into shock and died upon reaching Thinadhoo.
When Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir ordered his men to the island, some locals went into shock, vomited, and later died due to the trauma of hearing gunshots and witnessing the destruction of boats and buildings.
Following the failure to capture the four dhoanis, Silvercrest intercepted another dhoani approaching from the south of Kaadeddhoo and took it to Thinadhoo.
Shooting at Havaru Thinadhoo After approaching the island, Silvercrest used loudspeakers to call on the people of Thinadhoo to surrender and raise the Maldivian flag in place of the United Suvadive Republic flag. Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir promised a pardon for anyone who complied. However, following the announcement, Silvercrest opened fire on Thinadhoo. Shocked residents watched as the leaves and branches of breadfruit trees near the Vaaruge (Tax House) splintered, and birds flew away in response to the noise.
The shooting resulted in the death of one person and the injury of numerous others. Many also died as a result of the shock caused by witnessing the violence and the subsequent forced relocation.
Capture of Zakariya Moosa and further warnings After failing to capture the dhoanis, Zakariya Moosa, who had been taken hostage from one of the boats, was brought to Thinadhoo as a messenger to warn the residents. He was instructed to swim to the island while holding onto a wooden plank that had been shot multiple times. Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir observed the events from Silvercrest using binoculars. Zakariya Moosa successfully reached Thinadhoo and delivered the warning to surrender and raise the Maldivian flag.
Despite this warning, the people of Thinadhoo refused to comply. Zakariya Moosa was subsequently imprisoned by United Suvadive supporters in the Thinadhoo food store.
Anchoring of Silvercrest The Silvercrest used loudspeakers to deliver the warning, and it continued firing towards Thinadhoo until dusk that day. Following sunset, supporters of United Suvadive moved their forces inside Thinadhoo to prevent anyone from announcing their surrender. After issuing warnings and firing at Thinadhoo until dusk, Silvercrest sailed to the nearby island of Maakiri Gala, where it anchored for the night.
Messengers with word of surrender On the morning following daybreak in Thinadhoo, Havaru Thinadhoo resident Moosa Fathuhi met with two other individuals - Abdul Wahhab from Bansaarige, who was the Secretary at the Atoll Office, and Mohamed Hussain from Maabadeyrige, who was a police officer. Moosa Fathuhi was then under house arrest. During their meeting, Moosa Fathuhi and Wahhab discussed surrender, while Mohamed Hussain attempted to persuade the remaining elders in Thinadhoo to surrender as well. However, his efforts were unsuccessful as the elders were concerned about the potential consequences of the new legislation and feared losing their possessions if they were apprehended by United Suvadive supporters. They refused to travel to Silvercrest. In the evening, Abdul Wahhab and Mohamed Hussain left unnoticed by the United Suvadive Thinadhoo supporters on a small boat called Bokkura, which was headed towards Silvercrest. They were on a mission to surrender on behalf of the residents of the island, following the orders of Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir.
As Abdul Wahhab and Mohamed Hussain approached Silvercrest, soldiers who were preparing to fire illuminated the boat. Upon noticing them, the soldiers boarded the boat and brought them to Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir, who interrogated them. It is unclear whether the Thinadhoo residents who surrendered on their behalf were granted a pardon, as they were not informed of their status.
After reports surfaced about Abdul Wahhab and Mohamed Hussain's meeting on Silvercrest, United Suvadive supporters in Thinadhoo expressed hostility towards their residences. Both Wahhab and Hussain were willing to attend the meeting as they did not personally own any property in Thinadhoo.
Sunrise and preparation for attack Wahhab and Hussain transported all of the remaining prisoners, who had been captured earlier by Silvercrest, to Thinadhoo in the Bokkura. Subsequently, troops and Ibrahim Nasir's aides boarded the Dhoani, which was under their control. The Prime Minister ordered Wahhab and Hussain to board the Dhoani with the military and his subordinates.
Torching of Arumaadhu Odis (large ships) The Dhoani, accompanied by the troops and others, sailed towards Havaru Thinadhoo. As it approached the island, it set fire to a large ship called "Fathuhul Mubarak," which was anchored outside and belonged to Havaru Thinadhoo Naib Ismail Didi. Onlookers near the jetty area in Thinadhoo witnessed the burning of the ship.
Subsequently, all the large ships (Arumaadhu Odi) anchored on the outskirts of Thinadhoo were destroyed by fire. These included:
Arumaadhu Odi "Barakathul Rahman" owned by Mudim Hussain Thakurufaan Arumaadhu Odi "Fathuhul Majeed" owned by Muhammad Kaleyfaan Naalu Bethelli (large boat) named "Ganima" owned by Abubakuru Katheeb Kaleyfaan Naalu Baththeli (large boat) owned by Addu Hithadhoo Finifenmaage Abdullah Afeef
Attacking from ashore As the Dhoani and the troops approached Thinadhoo, Abdul Wahhab and Mohamed Hussain received orders to plunge into the shallow waters and employ a rope to pull the Dhoani towards the island. Using a megaphone, the troops then demanded surrender and hoisting of the Maldive flag instead of the Suvadive flag. It was promised that forgiveness would be granted to everyone if these actions were carried out. Subsequently, submachine guns were fired into the air. Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir's directives were adhered to without hesitation.