1964 FLHP rebellion

1964 FLHP rebellion
Part of the Vietnam War - FULRO insurgency
A Montagnard tribesman during training in 1962.
Date 26 August – 20 September 1964 Location Central Highlands, South Vietnam Result Inconclusive Withdrawal of Montagnards to Cambodia
Belligerents
South Vietnam	FLHP
Commanders and leaders
Nguyễn Phước Vĩnh Lộc Hoàng Xuân Lãm	Y Bham Enuol Y Dhơn Adrong (POW)
Units involved
II Corps 23rd Division	None
Casualties and losses
35 killed	Unknown

The 1964 FLHP rebellion was an uprising of Montagnard (Degar) tribesmen in Vietnam’s Central Highlands during the Vietnam War. It was led by the Central Highlands Liberation Front (FLHP), a separatist movement advocating autonomy for indigenous groups. Beginning on 19 September 1964, rebel forces, including U.S.-trained Highland Civilian Combat Teams, seized several outposts in Quảng Đức Province and occupied the radio station in Buôn Ma Thuột, declaring a call for Montagnard independence. The revolt resulted in the deaths of 35 Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) soldiers.

In response, ARVN units led by General Nguyễn Phước Vĩnh Lộc imposed martial law, retook rebel-held positions, and negotiations as per U.S. embassy advice began on 20 September, ending the rebellion without major prosecutions. Rebel leaders, including Y Bham Êñuôl, withdrew into Cambodia. Those remaining were granted amnesty and allowed to return home.

The rebellion marked a significant episode in broader FLHP resistance and helped catalyze the formation of FULRO (United Front for the Liberation of Oppressed Races), an alliance fighting for ethnic minority rights in South Vietnam.

Rebellion

On 26 August 1964, a congress of 55 moderate Montagnards, representing ethnic minorities, met in Pleiku, Vietnam. Fearing being excluded from the negotiations, the rebels staged an uprising on the night of 19 September 1964. Special Forces commandos and Highlands Civilian Combat Teams captured a number of outposts in Quảng Đức province such as Đức Lập, Bù Đăng, and Bù Đốp. The rebels controlled Highway 14, attacked Srépok post, then advanced to Buôn Ma Thuột, occupied the VTVN radio station, and called on the Montagnards to rise up against the Kinh to build an independent nation. The uprising killed 35 Republic of Vietnam soldiers.

On 20 September 1964, General Nguyễn Phước Vĩnh Lộc, commander of Tactical Zone II, declared martial law in Buôn Ma Thuột, the 23rd Division, along with several commando and armored battalions, were mobilized to retake the radio station and other rebel-occupied outposts. Suddenly the US embassy advised Vĩnh Lộc to negotiate.

Aftermath

Y Bhăm Êñuôl á representative of the moderate faction of FLHP, was invited to negotiate with the rebels. The results of the agreements:

• Y Bhăm Êñuôl was appointed as the official president of the FLHP movement. However, Y Bham Eñuol fled to Cambodia on the afternoon of 20 September.
• Rebel commanders were not prosecuted and were not pursued as they withdrew through Cambodia.

See also

• FULRO
• Degar State

Further reading

• Trần Ngọc Thống; Hồ Đắc Huân; Lê Đình Thụy (2011). Lược sử Quân lực Việt Nam Cộng hòa. Hương Quê. pp. 170–172. ISBN 9780985218201.