OOC Source: New York PostNiederung: 5 months into the Llaqtese invasion of Southern Istapali the Llaqtese Army has made some progress but has, according ot initial independent reports, stalled and failed to reach their core objectives. In addition, the Llatese Airforce, considered to be one of the largest in the region, failed miserably in their objective to aquire air superiority and provide ground support to Llaqtese ground forces, with independent investigators stating that a combination of Istapalian Air defense jets and anti air systems have downed over 29 MiG-29 fighter jets and another 32 R-22 jets in the 5 months that the battle has raged and has so far failed to take control of the air. While the Royal Airforce continues to run sorties and attempt some limited air missions they have failed in almost every mission issued since the invasion, with observers believing the lack of pilot training and poorly maintained equipment is part of the reason for its bad performance. While the Llaqtese Army has taken significant chunks of territory in the last few months, even capturing four major cities, it has done so against the backdrop of thousands of casualties and it has failed to reach its key objective of cutting of the Istapalian coastline from the mainland and/or capturing all of the south. Instead Istapalian forces have managed to regroup and build up, launching small scale counteroffensives that have halted a Llaqtese advance. This combined with the lack of air superiority has basically stalled Llaqtese progress last month which has resulted in a stalemate between the two armies. Llaqtese casualties are estimated to hover at nearly 61.000 deaths and over 98.000 wounded, while Istapalian losses are estimated to hover around 41.000 deaths and 66.000 wounded. Intelligence watchdogs believe that Suyu Llaqta now has around 272.000 troops left that are battle ready in Istapali, while most of these troops are likely exhausted due to months of continues fighting. Istapali has mobilized most of its reserves and now has around 310.000 men stationed on the frontline. Next to personell losses the Llaqtese army is believed to have lost 400 T-54 MBT's, 290 T-44 tanks and nearly half of its 1.555 armoured vehicles, major losses for the country.
Analysts nearly unanimously agree that if all these numbers turn out to be correct the Llaqtese Army will not have enough manpower or resources to push for a breakthrough but the same counts for Istapali, which will have to fight a by now battle hardened force of 272.000 that is likely to dig in and create new defense lines to prevent a possible attack which will mean a breakthrough and Suyu Llaqta holding onto the large swaths of territory it has captured. In the now occupied territory an estimated 21.239.819 Istapalians are now living under Llaqtese rule, with another 5 million or so having fled during the initial battles of the war. As it currently stands, this war is seemingly entering a phase of bloody stagnation. In Llaqtese state papers, stories of major breakthroughs and capture of thousands of Istapalian troops is reported, leaving out the grim reality of this major conflict in East Dovani.
Territory captured by Llaqtese forces (Red) and limited Istapalian counterattacks (blue)