The bridge over the Cunene River was destroyed by SADF Special Forces and the town was held for many years by South Africa. At the end of the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale the Fidel Castro 50th Brigade moved in and started harassing the withdrawing SADF forces, triggering Operation Excite/Hilti. In response to this harassment the SADF mobilized 81 Armoured Brigade in Operation Desert Fox, designed to neutralize the Cuban 50th Division, but this was not necessary because of the successful negotiations that ended the South African involvement in the Angolan Civil War.
The destruction of the bridge over the Cunene River by SADF forces marked a significant turning point, as it allowed the town to remain under South African control for an extended period. Following the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale, Cuban forces entered the area and began to harass the withdrawing SADF troops, prompting Operation Excite/Hilti. In response, the SADF mobilized the 81 Armoured Brigade in Operation Desert Fox, aimed at countering the Cuban 50th Division, but this was ultimately unnecessary due to the successful negotiations that brought an end to South African involvement in the Angolan Civil War.