Kafuri forces capture major oil fields in Operation Black Gold
February, 4522
Kafuri Republican Guard forces after Battle of Jablemmanet
Jablemmanet, Jerze'har - Kafuri Republican Guard forces backed up by Kafuri Marines from the Kafuri Majatran Navy claimed victory over radical Israist forces in the northern governorate of Jerze'har. The operation was begun in late December, 4521 and was primarily operated by the Republican Guard, the Ba'athist paramilitary force. The operation, coined "Operation Black Gold" was set to take several months as the Armed Forces of Kafuristan were considered to be in a largely dysfunctional state. While the KAF remains relatively weak and disorganized several attempts have been made to coordinate and organize "elite units" or regular units of the Kafuri Armed Forces, one such unit was the Kafuri Marines, the elite special forces unit of the Kafuri Navy. The operation was primarily carried out by the 1st Republican Guard Corps which is primarily responsible for the northern governorates of Kafuristan. Jablemmanet is considered to be the largest and most profitable oilfield and refining complex in Kafuristan, it was once of the pinnacle of Operation Badr in 4411, likewise carried out by the Republican Guard. The capture of Jablemmanet signals a seismic shift in economic stability of Kafuristan. The capture prompted Chairman and CEO of the Kafuri National Oil Company Rafeeq al-Kazemi to state that by January, 4523 that oil and gas production in Kafuristan would be returned to 75% and by January, 4524 that oil and gas production would be hovering at 98%.
While Minister of Trade, Industry and Oil Abdur Razzaaq el-Samand stated that the January, 4524 was a "lofty goal" President al-Sadhi has committed "considerable" resources to the re-opening of the oil and gas industry in Kafuristan. Despite the claims of Kazulia that they are now the top dog when it comes to oil and gas, the Kafuri government has noted that it welcomed "friendly competition" and that the competition is good for the market and thus good for Kafuristan. While Kafuristan has indeed fallen to 10th on oil and gas production and sales, the Kafuri government is eager to re-capture their lofty spot as top dog in the oil and gas industry, something that with considerable investment and the recent stability brought on by the rise of the Majatran Republic and the Ba'athist, is entirely possible.