The Eritrean War of Independence was a conflict that lasted from 1961 to 1991, as Eritrea fought to gain independence from Ethiopia. The war began when Eritrean nationalists sought to end Ethiopian rule, which had been established after World War II. The struggle involved various factions and was marked by guerrilla warfare. After three decades of fighting, Eritrea finally achieved independence in 1991 when the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) defeated Ethiopian forces. A referendum in 1993 confirmed Eritrea's independence, making it a sovereign nation. The war had significant social and economic impacts on both Eritrea and Ethiopia.