workingclasshistory:

On this day, 7 December 1975, Indonesia invaded East Timor, beginning 24 years of brutal occupation which would leave up to a fifth of the local population dead in a genocide which was made possible by support from the US.
East Timor gained independence following the Portuguese revolution of 1974. Neighbouring Indonesia, under the anti-communist dictator president Suharto, feared a left-wing government taking power and invaded.
The subsequent occupation resulted in the deaths of 200,000 people or more. The military equipment used in the genocide, including fighter jets, bombs, napalm and guns, was provided by the United States. When asked if US weapons were used in the genocide, one senior Indonesian general replied: “Of course there were US weapons used. These are the only weapons that we have.”
When Indonesian troops finally withdrew in 1999, they massacred over 1000 people and burned down 80% of buildings in the country.
Pictured: Suharto meeting with US President Richard Nixon, 1970
Learn more about the Portuguese revolution in our podcast episodes 41-42: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e41-42-the-portuguese-revolution/ https://www.facebook.com/workingclasshistory/photos/a.296224173896073/2154732701378535/?type=3