The 55-day war was a battle in the city of Huambo between the rebel forces of UNITA led by Arlindo Pena and the MPLA-led Angolan government.

[4] The 55-day war lasted between 9 January 1993 and 6 March 1993, resulting in UNITA emerging victorious and the destruction of most of the city.

[5] The battle began on 9 January 1993 when UNITA launched an assault to take the city with 20,000 soldiers and 8,000-10,000 armed militia.

[8] By 19 January UNITA had surrounded the city and had claimed to have destroyed 12 T-55s and shot down a Sukhoi Su-25 fighter jet.

[13] The Angolan government claimed that 1,000 people were killed on 15 February when UNITA shelled a civilian convoy leading out of the city.