Malaysian invasion of Mindanao (21st Century Crisis)

The Malaysian invasion of Mindanao (Malay: Serangan ke Malaysia Mindanao, Filipino: Panghihimasok ng Malaysian sa Mindanao) also known as Operation Bangsamoro (Malay: Operasi Bangsa Moro) was a military offensive performed by the Malaysian Army at the conclusion of the War in Mindanao in 1967. The military initiative was part of Tunku Abdul-Rahman's vision of a Malaysian Empire, that spanned from the Malay Peninsula to the island of Mindanao.

When Abdul-Rahman learned of the Moro armed struggle against the Philippine government, he capitalized on their desire to be under a Muslim government, and reached out to Moro leaders who at this point, were at the brink of signing a surrender to the Philippine government. In knowing that the Moros could not afford another war against Malaysia, and that being under a Muslim government meant the protection of their culture, the Moros agreed to become part of Malaysia. Tunku Abdul-Rahman promised to protect the culture of the Moros.

At this point, Indonesia entered into a military alliance with the Philippines, seeing that both nations shared a mutual hate against Malaysia and a mutual opposition to its creation as a state. When Indonesia got involved, Tunku Abdul-Rahman's Chief Military Advisor, Abdul Razak Hussein, began to oppose this war, given Malaysia's war with Thailand, in the grounds that Malaysia didn't have enough means to take on three of Southeast Asia's biggest armies.

Hussein said, "The President may do what he wants, it's in his power, but I don't recommend it. Since Indonesia just got involved, we're talking about two of Southeast Asia's biggest armies, we are going to get crushed. We're fighting two fronts, and two armies on one front."

After the Malaysian drove the Thais out of the Malay Peninsula, and successfully took over the entirety of the Malay Peninsula, the Malaysian Army was now able to put all of its focus on Mindanao.

The Malaysian Army armed and trained the native Moros of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago, and formed the Mindanao Force, the section of the Malaysian Army that consisted of Mindanao and Sulu's natives.

The Malaysian Army emerged decisively victorious against the Philippine forces, and also defeated Indonesia in the war. Having defeated three armies, Malaysia entered the global stage as a credible power, and was often compared to Israel and their victory over the heavily-favored and larger Arab armies around it.

In 1968, fixated on Formosa, Ferdinand Marcos accepted defeated, and signed a surrender with Tunku Abdul-Rahman, having felt sickened and tired of dealing with the Moros. Ahmed Sukarno of Indonesia reluctantly signed a cease-fire, under pressure from the United Nations.

Afterwards, Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago were integrated as part of East Malaysia. With the Malaysian conquer of the entire Malay Peninsula, Tunku Abdul-Rahman had initially achieved his goal of forging a nation to challenge Indonesian domination and hegemony of Maritime Southeast Asia.

As a result of their humiliation, Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand declared an embargo on Malaysia, adopting the Arab-style "Three Nos" policy against Malaysia. While the Philippine government decided not to pursue further military action, Indonesia and Thailand continued to wage war against Malaysia. The Philippines however, would later be somehow vindicated with their successful invasion and occupation of Formosa.

Some historians claim that the Malaysian invasion of Mindanao was a separate event from the War in Mindanao fought solely between the Moros and the Philippines (with American and Mexican aid). Others claim that it was an extension, and therefore, a part of the War in Mindanao.