Laotian Civil War

The Laotian Civil War was a complex conflict fought from May 23, 1959, to December 2, 1975.

It was a central part of the global Cold War struggle. During this era, the United States and the Soviet Union competed to spread their political ideas. Laos became a proxy war theater, where external powers supported different local sides. This meant that while local groups fought, larger nations provided weapons, money, and training. The war is often called the "Secret War" because much of the American involvement was kept hidden from the public.

The conflict primarily involved the Royal Lao Government and the communist Pathet Lao. The Pathet Lao received heavy support from the North Vietnamese. To move troops and supplies, North Vietnam established the Ho Chi Minh trail.

This was a paved highway system running through the southeastern panhandle of Laos. It allowed the North Vietnamese to move resources toward South Vietnam. Because of this, the United States launched massive aerial bombing campaigns to disrupt these supply lines. These operations were intended to stop communist movements without sending large numbers of American ground troops into Laos.

Political rivalry in Laos involved several different factions and leaders. There were neutralists led by Prince Souvanna Phouma and a right-wing faction under Prince Boun Oum. On the left side was the Lao Patriotic Front, led by Prince Souphanouvong and Kaysone Phomvihane. Although leaders tried to create coalition governments, the country remained divided. The fighting occurred in two main geographic areas. One area was the northern Plain of Jars. The other was the southeastern panhandle where the Ho Chi Minh trail was located.

The war's progress often followed the natural cycles of the seasons. During the dry season, starting in November or December, North Vietnamese military operations increased. Fresh troops and supplies moved easily across the newly passable roads. As the rainy season arrived six months later, the supply lines became impassable. This forced the North Vietnamese and Pathet Lao to recede toward Vietnam. During these shifts, the United States used various aircraft to manage the conflict. They used Raven Forward Air Controllers to direct airstrikes against communist forces.

To disrupt North Vietnamese operations, the United States engaged in a large covert operation. The CIA trained a guerrilla force of about 30,000 Laotian hill tribesmen.

These were known as Special Guerrilla Units, or SGUs. They consisted mostly of Hmong, Mien, and Khmu people. A Hmong military leader, General Vang Pao, led these units. They were supported by the CIA's proprietary airline, Air America, and the Royal Lao Air Force. This irregular warfare helped the United States maintain a stalemate against the North Vietnamese and Pathet Lao forces.

The war ended in December 1975 when the Pathet Lao and North Vietnam emerged victorious. This victory followed the fall of South Vietnam in April 1975. The transition brought massive changes to Laotian society. The Royal Lao family was arrested and sent to labor camps. Most members, including King Savang Vatthana, died in these camps during the late 1970s and 1980s. Following the communist takeover, up to 300,000 people fled to neighboring Thailand. Many Hmong people faced persecution and were accused of being traitors for their past help to the Americans.

The human cost of the war was very high, with over 40,000 people dying in the conflict. A significant and lasting problem is unexploded ordnance, or UXO. Much of this explosive material came from the intense United States bombing campaigns.

Even decades after the fighting stopped, these remnants remain dangerous. According to the Laotian government in 2017, UXO caused 29,522 deaths and 21,048 injuries. This makes the history of the war a continuous struggle for safety in the present day.