Operation Southern Cross (1986) was a military operation by the South African Defence Force during the South African Border War and Angolan Civil War. During May 1986, the SADF began planning an operation that called for the capture of the FAPLA controlled town and airbase at Cuito Cuanavale. The units would consist of 32 Battalion, SAAF, Special Forces and UNITA troops. The operation would be carried out at night and aided by air and artillery attacks. Cuito Cuanavale was a military base used previously to launch Cuban and Angolan attacks on the UNITA held town of Mavinga with the objective to capture it and eventually launch an attack on the UNITA headquarters at Jamba. The 13th and 25th FAPLA Brigades were deployed protect Cuito Cuanavale.