Conflicts in 1980

The Iran–Iraq War began with the Iraqi invasion of Iran in September 1980. After eight years of conflict, both countries accepted a ceasefire deal brokered by the United Nations, which became effective in August 1988. The war caused around 500,000 deaths, making it the deadliest conventional war ever fought between regular armies of developing countries.

The Iran hostage crisis began on November 4, 1979, when 66 Americans, including diplomats and other civilian personnel, were taken hostage at the Embassy of the United States in Tehran, with 52 of them being held until January 20, 1981. The incident occurred after the Muslim Student Followers of the Imam's Line stormed and occupied the building in the months following the Iranian Revolution. With support from Ruhollah Khomeini, who had led the Iranian Revolution and would eventually establish the present-day Islamic Republic of Iran, the hostage-takers demanded that the United States extradite Iranian king Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who had been granted asylum by the Carter administration for cancer treatment. Notable among the assailants were Hossein Dehghan, Mohammad Ali Jafari, and Mohammad Bagheri. The hostage crisis contributed to a dramatic decline in Iran–United States relations. After 444 days, it came to an end with the signing of the Algiers Accords between the Iranian and American governments; Iran's king had died in Cairo, Egypt, on July 27, 1980.

1980 anti-government uprising in South Korea

12 September 1980 government coup in Turkey

1980 Delta Force failed operation for rescuing American hostages

conflict, contestations and revolution movements, mainly linked to Muslim brotherhood

Rescue of US diplomats from Iran, 1980

armed conflict in Peru during 1980-2000 of left insurgent groups (Shining Path and MRTA) against Peruvian governments and far-right death squats

kurdish rebellion in Iran

armed conflict in Malaysia from 1968 to 1989

1980 rebellion in Vanuatu

1987 South Korean military coup that installed Chun Doo-hwan

communist insurgency in Malaysia

violent overthrow of government in Suriname

1980 attempted coup d'état

Guatemalan attack on the Spanish Embassy in Guatemala City, Guatemala

overthrow of Somali communism and Somali socialism in Somalia

uprising and fatalities in Kabul

Coup that brought João Bernardo Vieira to power

political rebellion in Iraq

1980 battle

Military coup in Burkina Faso led by Colonel Saye Zerbo

1980 military coup in Mauritania

Yemeni uprising lasting from 1978 to 1982.