Falklands War

The Falklands War was a brief undeclared conflict in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over sovereignty of the Falkland Islands and associated territories.

The Falklands War was a brief undeclared conflict in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over sovereignty of the Falkland Islands and associated territories. It lasted 74 days, from 2 April to 14 June 1982, and ended with Argentine surrender and the restoration of British control. The war is also called the Falkland Islands War, the Malvinas War, or the South Atlantic War.

Background

The war grew out of a long-running sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands, which the United Kingdom controlled and Argentina claimed as Las Malvinas. Tensions escalated in 1982 into open conflict after the Argentine military invasion.

Course of the war

Argentina seized the Falkland Islands on 2 April 1982 and later occupied South Georgia. Britain responded by sending a naval task force, and fighting on land and at sea continued until the Argentine surrender on 14 June.

Casualties and impact

The conflict caused 907 deaths in total, with heavy losses for both armed forces and three Falkland Islanders killed. Argentina's defeat weakened its military government and was followed by the restoration of civilian rule in 1983.

Legacy

The sovereignty dispute remained unresolved after the war. The conflict remains a major reference point in British-Argentine relations and in Falkland Islands history.