Since the establishment of administration systems all over the world, governments have faced attempted takeovers commonly known as insurgencies. These are restricted acts of revolts that did not have the impact of a full-blown revolution. These attempted coups occur internally, and they aim to overthrow the government of a country and establish another. However, there are various ways that nations had handled and crushed these insurgencies before they caused any significant threat. However, influence from external powers like other governments has led to some revolts being successful. One of these mechanisms is obtaining help from other countries.  This paper aims to discuss what revolts are, what are their causes, solutions, and the essential role that external governments play in fueling and making these insurgencies successful.

Insurgencies

Since the beginning of 1945, insurgencies have become very common among countries in the world.  Examples of insurgencies are terrorism and coups which are aimed at undermining authority. However, why do rebels take place?

The existence of insurgencies has been there for a long time as various groups of people have adopted the use of violence with the aim of resisting and overthrowing those in power.  Additionally, despite this acts being strategic and a considerable part of the country’s or empire’s history, these insurgencies took place mostly during the cold war and although not openly, rival governments would assist those seeking to seize power and making the quests successful. When the cold war began, the presence of nuclear arms made it hard for nations to attack each other, and this led to them fighting against themselves.

Additionally, since colonial empires were also diminishing as states got their independence, the prevalence of insurgencies began to increase rapidly. For instance, more enhanced methods of rebellion among the Vietnamese and Chinese started to the ‘golden age.’ Basically, with no one to fight, nations rose against themselves for power or just for individuals to demonstrate the amount of influence they had and what they were capable of doing. The emergence of insurgencies in European nations not was not only centered on intelligence services, government agencies, and the government, but also parts of security-related corporations, research institutes, and journalism. Moreover, the interference of other governments and particularly the superpowers, mainly the United States and the Soviet Union determined the success rate of these attempts.

Since terrorism has just recently surfaced, religious wars could not be considered as insurgencies, unlike now. However, the primary cause of rebels during this time was the economic ideology that a country adopted depending on the influence that these superpowers had. With America being a capitalist supporter and the Soviet Union being part of communism, they had different opinions. Additionally, they both wanted to demonstrate who was more powerful of the two based on their military power. However, if both nations attacked each other, the damage would have been catastrophic for two main reasons.  First, both countries had discovered nuclear war technology and had demonstrated that they were not afraid to use it. Secondly, the Second World War had just ended, and beginning World War III would have been a dangerous act.

However, how do external factors support and make insurgents successful? For these coups to be successful, various factors have to come into play. First, they need financial support which is the most fundamental factor in this case. Since they need help from people in their own country, they will use the money to buy them off to obtain their allegiance. Secondly, they need a safe hideout in case the insurgency is not successful.

In most cases, these revolts do not go as planned. Thus the organizers need a place to get away to when plans do not succeed. Lastly, external supporters also provide weapons and human resources in terms of soldiers. If a nation’s military is not willing to support the rouge leader, foreign supporters who are often other governments provide their soldiers.

Why do Revolts take place?

Insurgencies in different nations have occurred for various reasons. Some of them are;

1. Incitement from other governments

At times the current leadership of a country may not be in good terms with a rival nation. Since unleashing war would have catastrophic results for both sides, they incite leaders in the government to begin revolts. Those instigated are mostly opposition leaders, military commanders, and other individuals who may not agree with the nation’s leadership. The persuasions are done by offering a lot of money along with support once they decide to revolt.

1. The desire to acquire power

Greediness can also be a cause of revolt in nations. A person with a lot of energy in terms of money or politicians who want to be presidents and kings may also organize insurgencies. However, without all necessary resources, they may look towards other governments and promise something in return if all goes as planned.

1. Ethnic differences

Ethnic differences, and mostly in parts of Africa are significant causes of revolts in countries. One community may feel that those in power from other tribes are not doing their jobs well. Additionally, they may also think that they are left out in terms of development and key decision-making processes concerning their region. This may lead them to organize revolts and take over power.

1. When those in power refuse to vacate the seat after serving their time

Also experienced in most parts of Africa where leaders rule for 30-35 years and despite their citizens urging them to retire, they refuse. This has forced others in power to organize revolts against their heads of state and have them. However, since the president or king also commands the army, they are forced to look to outside governments for help like the military and financial support.

1. The view that one can do a better job

An individual may feel that he or she is best qualified to lead his nation or empire. They may think that their ideologies and strategies for development will be more useful for their country when compared to those of the current regime. With the help of outside governments, they may be able to organize revolts and take over the leadership of their state.

Successful Insurgencies through External Power Intervention

Soviet-Afghan War

The Soviet-Afghan War began in December of 1979 and ended in February of 1989, lasting for almost ten years. The Mujahedeen which was an insurgent group along with others like the Maoist participated in a guerilla war. The battle was against the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan along with the Soviet army.

Before Soviet soldiers landed in the nation, the Communist party of Afghanistan had taken over power after a coup and made Mohammad Nur the president. This regime began adopting policies and radical reforms which became unpopular among the country’s citizens. Some of these included establishing traditional power structures which the citizens felt did not deliver. Additionally, political prisoners were either imprisoned or executed, massacred against unarmed civilians, and massive suppression of opposition towards the government. These events led to the uprising which lasted for almost a full decade.

Apart from these events, the communist party also had internal disputes. For instance, the minister of foreign affairs Amin Hafizullah ordered the death of Taraki who was his rival. This led to the establishment of a relationship with the Soviet Union who deployed soldiers to the country. Once they were in the capital of Afghanistan, the president was killed, and Babrak Kamal who was loyal to the Union was instilled as president. Western media had branded this deployment as an invasion by the Soviet States, and there was an urgent need for the issue to be resolved.

At the beginning of 1980 ministers in the Islamic Conference demanded that the troops be withdrawn from Afghanistan while The UN General Assembly also passed the notion and gave similar demands. China and Pakistan, Arab Monarchies, and the US began funding and arming the nation’s insurgents. The USA aimed to frustrate the efforts of the Soviet Union which were the main rival. After ten years of using guerilla tactics along with funding from China, USA, Pakistan, Qatar, and the UK, the Soviets were defeated and kicked out of Afghanistan. Nonetheless, the losses that resulted were heartbreaking. Over a million people were killed while others fled the country.

Additionally, the value of property destroyed during the war was uncountable. In the end, the revolt was a success because through external support; the revolters regained their country. However, the loss of both human life and property are some of the consequences of war.

The IRA in Ireland

The Provisional Irish Republic Army (IRA) was an insurgent military group that wanted to end the rule of the British in Northern Ireland, enable the country to reunify and bring independence. Both in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, the IRA was branded as a terrorist organization that had no business in any of these countries.

The movement emerged in 1969 after the split in the republican movement. Trouble in Ireland started when a non-violent group from the Catholic Church was met with resistance and violence by the Royal Ulster Constabulary and Ulster loyalists leading to riots and British soldier deployment. Initially, the IRA soldiers were protectors of catholic regions. However, in 1971, it changed its goal and wanted to force the UK out of Ireland. Using guerilla tactics on the British army, both in Urban and rural areas. Additionally, bombing campaigns were also carried out in Britain and Ireland in areas it considered economic and political targets. In 1997, a ceasefire was called after being readmitted into Ireland peace talks after which Britain accepted to remove its soldiers from Ireland and help it reunify.

The Revolt in Cyprus

Cyprus was a British Crown Colony in 1931 when the revolt broke out. Nationalists from Greece who supported the unification of Cyprus and Greece. In 1926, Ronald Storrs was appointed as the governor of Cyprus. The conflict broke out when he bared a decision by the Legislative council to stop hiking taxes as they were essential for filling deficits in the local budget.

Many MPs from the regions did not agree with this decision and resigned from their posts. Additionally, public acts of disobedience were encouraged by the Archbishop Nikodemos Kition until the demands of the public were addressed. A rally was held on the streets on October 21 by a crowd of over 5000 people in Nicosia. These individuals attacked the government and stoned it before setting it ablaze. Eventually, order was restored with the group being dispersed by police. Nonetheless, the group had been able to drop British Flags and replace them with those of Greece.

Alexis Kyrou who was a Greek Cypriot and a member of the Greek general council was accused of organizing the revolt. It was, however, true that he was responsible for the insurgency against Britain and had directly gone against orders received from Athens. On that day,  30 people were injured while seven died. Additionally, over 2000 individuals were subjected to various punishments like fines and prison time while ten of them were exiled completely.

Due to his actions, Kyrou was dismissed from his post while the governor was also transferred. Various elections like those of the legislative and municipal councils were entirely removed from the country’s system. Additionally, the governor of Cyprus was tasked with the selection of district judges and village authorities. To avoid such actions from retaking place, the Island was kept under an autocratic rule until the beginning of the Second World War.  Suppressions to the opposition and media houses were also done with the aim of avoiding another revolt.

Consequences of Insurgencies

Death and Injuries

In most cases, the outcome of insurgencies is a war which leads to fatalities with many fatalities and life-threatening injuries. For instance, in the Soviet-Afghan War, more than a million people were killed in the battle while many more were left with gruesome injuries. In every fight, some casualties feel the full extent of its consequences. Most individuals in this category are usually women and children who have no way of defending themselves. Additionally, both sides of the divide also encounter heavy losses of soldiers.

Destruction of Property

Just like death, damage and loss of valuable property is a consequence of war when insurgencies begin.  For instance, in the ten years that the Soviet-Afghan war took place; it is inevitable that billions worth of property was lost. This includes buildings, farm products, industries, and even livestock. Another example is the IRA bombings in both Ireland and Britain which were targeted at economic and political resources.

Strained relationships

Insurgencies lead to animosity between the warring functions, as well as poor links between the nation and the external factors supporting the revolt. For example, even after a successful uprising in Afghanistan, the USA-Soviet rivalry only intensified. Moreover, Cyprus nationals were only angered more by the new reforms that were made after the insurgency broke out.

Independence

Apart from adverse consequences, insurgencies also have their advantages. Since the primary goal of an insurgency is to attain freedom from oppressive rule, and despite the results, the revolts are seen as a significant cause of freedom is achieved. Additionally, people can express themselves, participate in elections and have substantial economic growth.

Fleeing and Exiling

When insurgencies do not succeed, the organizers are imprisoned, executed, or exiled. They are chased from their country for good never to return. This means they become homeless people without a country. Additionally, millions more flee, mostly women and children in an attempt to save their lives. This leads to an increased number of refugees all over the world.

Conclusion

An insurgency is an act of rebellion against the current rule of a country which is aimed at ousting those in power. In most cases, revolts have been unsuccessful despite being destructive. However, when there has been supporting from external factors, the probability of these insurgencies succeeding has been high.

Revolts occur for various reasons. First, it could be incitement from external powers that do not agree with the current regime, greedy people who want to accumulate power and trying to remove leaders who have served for long periods.

Since 1945, the world has experienced many successful and unsuccessful revolts. For instance, the Soviet-Afghan War of 1979 which lasted for almost ten years was aimed at changing the leadership of the country and the removal of Soviet soldiers from Afghanistan.  Support from America, Pakistan, and China among other nations led to a successful uprising.

However, the uprising is Cyprus was not as successful. This is because many people were injured, and others exiled while the rest were punished. Nonetheless, even more, radical reforms were imposed on the people.

Despite their success rate, insurgencies have different consequences with many of them very negative.  First, there is a lot of death and injuries mostly to innocent women and children while property worth millions is destroyed and many others are forced to flee their country. Nonetheless, a successful uprising leads to the nation acquiring freedom from its oppressors.

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