Operation Klipklop was a retaliatory action following the standoff mortar bombardment on Ruacana. during the South African Border War between the Republic of South Africa and SWAPO. The operation began at first light on the 30 July 1980 when South African forces attacked SWAPO facilities in Angola. The objective was a PLAN logistics base at the town of Chitado, 5km from the Namibian border and 35km east of Ruacana, with the aim of disrupting mortar attacks on the Ruacana hydro-electric scheme.
Chitado was a confirmed staging point for SWAPO infiltrations into the Kaokoveld. But the SWAPO action expedited this decision, as the SWAPO attack on Ruacana was an embarrassment to South Africa and it was felt that the SADF needed to teach the insurgents a lesson – they could not be allowed to act with impunity and the SADF needed to be seen as in control of the border with Angola.
The story that was fabricated was that the insurgents who had carried out the bombardment had come from Chitado, bringing their mortars with them. However, no evidence of this was provided during the intelligence briefing but it was a convenient excuse to attack the town, which had been the intention all along.
Supported by Alouette III attack helicopters, 80 men were dropped by helicopters close to the town. Twenty seven defenders, possibly PLAN or MPLA soldiers, died in the attack that followed with the SADF destroying the MPLA base in the town on their withdrawal.