Hobrazian National Army Captures Astoria K’alak’iGeneral Licheli Requests International Recognition and Military SupportThe Hobrazian National Army has successfully captured Astoria K'alak'i, the capital of the old Hobrazian Republic, following
two weeks of bitter fighting. The city, long a stronghold of Traditionalist militias, has been the centre of fighting along the
coastline in recent months. General Petre Licheli, commander-in-chief of the HNA, declared that Astoria was under the
complete control of the HNA in the early hours of the morning. HNA infantry captured the Presidential Palace at dawn
after a negotiated surrender by the traditionalist garrison, although fighting continues in the north west and south of the
city.
In a speech given outside the Presidential palace to the regiment who served as a vanguard during the siege, Licheli heralded
the capture of Astoria as the beginning of the final stage of the war. To cries of support, he announced the establishment
of a national
"Council for Revival" staffed by members of the HNA's general staff, to act as an executive for a new
government. Although unconfirmed during the speech, it is all but certain Licheli will play a substantial role in this new
administration.
Licheli called on the international community to recognise the Council for Revival as the official government of Hobrazia
and requested support from all likeminded nations to help the HNA restore security and end the war. Licheli reemphasised
his commitment to a democratic state post-war; and said that he will be reaching out to the government of Luthori and
Dorvik in the coming weeks.
General Petre Licheli - The New Face of Hobrazia?The capture of the city is a great victory for General Licheli, who has long considered control of the capital as a key step
to victory. At age 50, he has been involved in the conflict since he joined the northern branch of
the Hobrazian Traditionalist Army in the early stages of the civil war.
Following a breakdown in relations between the southern and northern wings of the Traditionalists, Licheli managed to
manoeuvre himself into command of the northern faction following an attack on his predecessor, Commander Richard
Tavkhelidze which paralysed him from the waist down.
Licheli has over the course of the last year made substantial overtures to centre left figures within the People's Army to
defect to his side. Last December, Licheli announced his main war aim to be the establishment of a democratic state in
line with other countries in the region. He also emphasised the need for a stable political environment to incentivise
international investment in the country's rebuilding efforts. Today it seems he is one more step towards that goal.
Hobrazian public opinion remains mixed, Licheli's ties to the traditionalists have left him loathed by the remaining
Communists in the far north, while traditionalists in the south accuse him of treachery. His most ardent support comes
from the region surrounding the capital, as well as his home region along the northern coast.
The Hobrazian Dirty War - A conflict without End?Hobrazia has long been a country suffering under the weight of a broken political system. Swinging wildly between
far-right and far-left political parties, its political situation has long been perilous. However, since the collapse of the
Hobrazian Communist Party and the return of Traditionalist militias in the southern highlands, control of the rural areas
was quickly lost, with the United Democratic Workers government controlling solely the capital Astoria by 5283.
In 5285, traditionalist militias seized key positions around the city and forced the communists to retreat north. Since then
there has been near constant combat between warring factions along the line of control. Atrocities against civilians remain
rampant, especially in the north where communist and traditionalist towns lie in close proximity.
The Hobrazian National Army, claiming descent from the Army of Hobrazia during the period of stable governance in 5158, has
had great success in the coastal region over the past 6 months, seizing several cities and towns. The territory under their
control is single largest contiguous territory governed by a single faction since the beginning of the war. Some analysts have
emphasised the continued opposition to the HNA in the north, however, for General Licheli and his supporters throughout
Hobrazia, the capture of Astoria can been seen, with some reservations, as the beginning of the end.