The military in Zimbabwe launched a 'coup' on November 15, 2017, calling it a "bloodless correction" to target "criminals" surrounding long-time leader Robert Mugabe.
Robert Mugabe is the only leader Zimbabwe had since it won freedom from British colonial rule in 1980.
At 93, Mr. Mugabe is the world's oldest head of state. His poor health has fuelled a bitter succession battle as potential replacements jockey for position.
His lengthy rule has been marked by brutal repression of dissent, mass emigration, vote-rigging and economic collapse since land reforms in 2000.
On October 30, 2017, Mr. Mugabe sacked long-time ally and Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, widely expected to succeed the former and take control of the ruling ZANU-PF party.
Mr. Mugabe's move is seen as an attempt to install his wife Grace - 41 years younger than her husband - as Vice-President and eventually take over the top job from him.
Though the action had all the hallmarks of a bloodless coup, the Zimbabwean military chose to avoid the word coup.
Instead, it used state television to vow to target "criminals" close to Mr. Mugabe.
Army veterans called the action "a bloodless correction".
The main opposition MDC party called for civilian rule to be protected.
