East Timorese resistance fighters Members of Falintil, the armed wing of the East Timorese resistance movement, march during a military exercise. (more) 1975 invasion of East Timor Written by Agathe Demarolle Agathe Demarolle was an Editorial Intern at Encyclopædia Britannica. She is studying at the University of Chicago, where she's majoring in political science and creative writing. She's also a reporter... Agathe Demarolle Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Mar. 6, 2026 •History On December 7, 1975, Indonesia invaded and annexed Portuguese Timor, seeking to forcibly integrate the territory into Indonesia. Amid the Cold War, Indonesian leaders feared that an independent East Timor would fuel separatism and fall under communist influence. The United States, as an ally of Indonesia and provider of military aid, shared these concerns and supported Indonesia’s actions in East Timor. Indonesia’s occupation lasted for almost a quarter of a century and was marked by...

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