NC authorises airstrikes in Bianjie
Lourennais, Luthorian, Hutorian and Dorvish combat aircraft in Elle-Sutherland Air Base.11th June, 4381.The Northern Council authorised precision air strikes against Bianjie as Secretary-General Haakon Egeland declared that force was necessary to halt aggression against the nation's Indralan minority. The campaign, to be commanded by the Lourennais Armed Forces and comprising of Hutorian, Lourennais, Luthorian and Dorvish aircraft is set to commence over the nation's northern, eastern and southern borders under the cover of night. The campaign, coined Operation October Freedom, comes more than a year after the conflict began and more than 4 months since the Northern Council initially threatened to use military force. According to Admiral Erling Halvorsen, Chief of Staff of the Joint Headquarters, explained that the Northern Council's decision to launch the air campaign against all warring factions in Bianjie comes as the organisation aims to force all parties towards either a World Congress-organised or Northern Council-organised peace process. The Admiral stated that the individuals responsible for the genocide of Bianjie's Indralan minority would be held accountable and will not see the light of mercy from the Northern Council, citing the fact that the organisation stands to defend the interests of global security.
The authorisation of the airstrikes occurred at the Northern Council headquarters in Bekenial, where Secretary-General Haakon Egeland. Lt. General Sebastian Hemmingsen, Representative for Kazulia to the Northern Council Defence Council stated that the Federal Republic would not be devoting aircraft to the operation, citing the need for Northern Council members to be involved in the organisation and commanding of operations launched by the alliance. Joint Logistics and Supply Department has stated that the base of operations for Operation October Freedom would be Elle-Sutherland Air Base in eastern Dreton. Lt. General Hemmingsen stated that although the operation will be under the command of the Lourennais Armed Forces and will run in accordance with Lourennais systems, the Joint Headquarters will be watching closely with the Kazulian Armed Forces acting as "supervisors" and in some cases forward air control for coalition aircraft.
There has been sentiments and calls for a peacekeeping mission to be launched instead of airstrikes as individuals cite the possibility of civilian causalities involved in airstrikes. A peacekeeping mission, as proposed by the Agatha Institute for Peace, would involve a transnational task force aimed at "nation-building". Admiral Halvorsen responded to the proposal saying that peacekeeping missions would be impossible due to the warring factions. He cited the inability for "peace to be kept" when there exists a warring factions with no intention coming to a discussion on a peace process. He also commented on the fact that peacekeeping missions, do not deter civilian causalities.