Nsanlosa

[Rogue]

OOC Source: GroundUp

Niederung: The government of Prime Minister Demiksa has announced draft legislation that would see the reintroduction of the death penalty for capital crimes. The plan, proposed by the Minister of Justice Elemo Humnaa, would give judges the ability to once again hand out the death penalty for murder, treason, crimes against humanity and rape. The announcement comes as Suyu Llaqta is gripped by a crimespree that has seen 40 people dead and millions in damages last month alone. This comes in light of the failure of the Demiksa regime to reimburse the Llaqtese economy as sanctions loom over the head of the country and investors continue to stay away. This combined with a recent order by Demiksa to halt efforts in increasing economic ties with Majatra have let to stagnation and a continuation of downturn. Wages are not rising and thousands have lost their jobs with nothing to return to according to the State Bureau for Statistics. The Demiksa government has announcement a "no step back" policy with regards to crime, announcing that nearly every sentence will be increased in severity for every crime in addition to reintroducing the death penalty, in the hopes of discouraging people from using crime to get out of their desperate situation. But with corruption rampant, the economy faltering and people becoming desperate it remains to be seen if an even tougher stance on a tired population will work for Suyu Llaqta. Social unrest is growing as Demiksa attempts to do what he can to mitigate the negative affects of this looming crisis.

Meanwhile in Yorumba, Llaqtese diplomats report that they are making progress in the upcoming vote to be held on sanctions, stating they are confident the sanctions will not be imposed, which would mean a significant victory for Niederung and a possible exit from the looming economic crisis overhead.

[Rogue]

OOC Source: Business Insider

Niederung: Prime Minister Demiksa has issued demands to the Istapalian government following what he called "unprovoked hindrance of Llaqtese maritime trade." The Demiksa Government has accused the istapalian government of "stealing" access to valuable maritime trade by encrouching on Llaqtese maritime borders and preventing Llaqtese trade vessels from leaving port on several occasions. Demiksa has now called on the Istapalian government to issue an official apology and pay over 2 million in apparent damages to the Llaqtese government. Istapalian representatives have denied the accusations, so far refusing to give in to Demiksa his demands. It comes after the Llaqtese economy failed to bounce back despite the rejection of sanctions against the country by the Dovani Assembly. The military regime, fed up by a lack of progress on the economic front, is now seemingly blaming others for their own failure. As tensions mount over the dispute, Demiksa has acknowledged his permission for additional military forces to be stationed on the border, announcing that the territorial integrity of Suyu Llaqta can not be ensured "as long as the Istapali government refused to acknowledge their own wrongdoings." Despite the Llaqtese government stating they seek a diplomatic solution to the dispute, the additional buildup of military forces and hawkish remarks by Defense Minister Neissa Faarsi have led to fears of military escalation on the ground or a possible mistake leading to a war. Dovani watches this dispute evolve with great caution.

[Rogue]

OOC Source: Google

Niederung: International observers are ringing alarm bells over a major military buildup alongside the southern border between Suyu Llaqta and Istapali. According to the observers, Llaqtese forces have been building up at the border in rapid pace over the last month, with supplies, armored vehicles and large amounts of other offensive weaponry being positions all alongside the border. What worries observers most is logistical equipment, such as large supplies of blood and other medical and engineering related resources, being shipped to the border, which does indicate the potential for conflict as Llaqtese forces would only need such goods in case of conflict. Furthermore Llaqtese diplomats have left the Dovani Assembly and the Prime Minister's office refuses to comment on the situation. Istapalian refusal to seriously comment on previous demands from Suyu Llaqta to stop harassing its maritime trade might have something to do with ongoing events at the border. Observers fear that this refusal might have led to serious talks of invasion within Llaqtese government cycles, something that would also come in handy to distract the Llaqtese population from an ongoing economic crisis and worsening living conditions.

It is unclear as of now what the real meaning of the apparent buildup might be.

[Rogue]

OOC Source: Fighter Jets World

Niederung: INVASION! The Llaqtese Military, primarily its airforce and ground forces, have seemingly launched a major invasion of Southern Istapali after two months of intense military buildup alongside its border. In the early hours of the morning airstrikes hit several cities and military installations all with limited and varied succes. Following the airstrikes, which only destroyed 2 Istapalian aircraft and saw AA systems take down several Llaqtese aircraft, ground forces which were ammassed on the border over these last few months pushed into Istapalian territory in what seems to be a three pronged offensive. Armoured columns, consisting of tanks and armoured vehicles with a combination of infantry moved accross the border meeting minimal ressistance at first but, after an hour, coming up to the first Istapalian defences. Due to the timing of the attack, Istapalian forces were caught off guard, failing to stop the initial waves of Llaqtese troops pushing through. While some defenders mounted ressistance, Llaqtese forces managed to push over 50 kilometers into Istapalian territory. Especially the northern pronged attack seems to have made significant progress as a larger Llaqtese force has been reported there. Istapali is meanwhile mounting a response, having ordered the mobilization of its reserves and moving divisions towards the front in an effort to stop Llaqtese forces. While reports are hard to verify, most independent sources on the ground seem to suggest that while initially Llaqtese air units launched strikes on Istapalian territory the failure to strike most intended targets and the fact that Istapalian air units have managed to take to the air have made is so that Llaqtese air units are for now only seeing limited action as they revaluate their next step. But despite the Istapalian attempts to moutn ressistance the overwhelming scope of this invasion is for now putting them on the backfoot with conservative estimates suggesting that nearly 50% of the Llaqtese Armed Forces is involved in the invasion, amounting to over 360.000 soldiers and thousands of armoured vehicles being involved. Estimates from before the invasion suggest that Istapali had only amassed 100.000 troops on the border in anticipation of an escalation.

While no statements have been made by Suyu Llaqta following the invasion this morning military analysts unanimously agree that their movement on the ground suggests their aim is taking Southern Istapali and with it its only coastline. No military activity has been reported in the north, with both Istapali and Suyu Llaqta having stationed next to no troops there. Much remains unclear as the invasion continues but what is clear is that Eastern Dovani is now at war.

[ChitinKal]

KU Gov. Responds to Invasion of Istapali | August 4115

[Rogue]

OOC Source: New York Post

Niederung: 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)

[Rogue]

OOC Source: BBC

Niederung: Reports have reached observers of the World Congress that war crimes are being committed by the Llaqtese military and newly set up occupational administration. The reports suggest that the occupational administration is actively rounding up and executing anyone suspected of fighting against the occupation, mostly alledged rebel fighters. Furthermore the little reports coming out of the territory, which is highly restricted and not easily reachable by outside observers, seems to suggest that widespread crackdowns of protests, unlawfull killings and kidnapping are a daily bussiness in occupied territories, with Llaqtese military forces doing whatever they can to maintain nominal control over the occupied territory in Istapali. The Occupational Administration, led by governor Labuu Sooressaa, was initiated 2 months into the invasion and meant as a civilian organ that would continue governance of the territory under Llaqtese law. In reality, it seems to become clearer and clearer that it is actually a ruse for the military taking control, as Sooressaa himself was an army officer before his appointment and has been using stationed army units in the occupied territories to maintain law and order and issue unlawfull killings and arrests. While its clear not all details are coming out of the area, the initial reports make international observers nervous as they fear larger atrocities could be ongoing as the territory continues to be occupied and the war enters a bloody stalemate. The anger of the Llaqtese in not meeting their military goals seems to be turning on the civilian population left behind under their control.

[Rogue]

OOC Source: Nairaland Forum

Niederung: King Daraara I, after just 4 years of ruling, has died at the age of 54 yesterday according to a official press release from the Maroon Palace, the official palace of the King and workplace of the Prime Minister. According to the press release the King died due to complications of a recent surgery he had to stop his brain tumor from spreading. King Daraara was seen as a puppet king by many, having direct ties to the military regime of Demiksa due to his history as a army general. He appointed Demiksa and approved of his actions so far, even allowing the recent invasion into Istapali. Now his son, at just 18 years old, named Baati will take the throne and be crowned King. Not much is known from Baati, with many having believed he would not take the throne for at least another decade, but he will now do just that. Many wonder what the new king might do, with some in his inner circle mentioning his more liberal stances on many issues compared to his father and the fact that Baati was not raised to be a military man, currently still studying law in Niederung. Baati will be crowned Baati I of the house of Aksa, first of his name, defender of people's, protector of faith, bearer of the faithfull. While the military will undoubdtly try to keep Baati on their side and control him, the King is granted vast powers by the military constitution and many believe Baati might just be the king ready to unleash his shackles and stop the sitting regime. Whether he has the actual raw power and the will to do so remains to be seen.

[ChitinKal]

KU Implements No-Fly Zone over Southern Istapali; KU Invites Suyu Llaqta, Istapali to Peace Talks | January 5116; March 5116

[Rogue]

OOC Source: Newsweek

Niederung: Llaqtese Forces are digging into their current positions, building extensive defensive lines and shifting their strategy. While at first the invasion was meant to conquer all of the south of Istapali and by doing so cutting it off from maritime trade it has now evolved into a "disruption" campaign according to experts. Heavy howitzers and other artillery pieces have been positioned all accros the frontline with these positions now firing on frontline towns, cities and infrastructure in Istapali hands. This strategy adjustment is also to be attributed to the recent announcement of KU involvement into the conflict, with the shelling of civilian areas seen as a response to that move. Since the issuing of the no-fly zone no Llaqtese aircraft have entered Istapalian airspace or conducted aerial missions in fear of losing them. There are reports of Suyu Llaqta moving some of its long range Anti-Air systems, the S-300, into occupied territories but experts doubt these will be used to actively take down KU aircraft, which could risk full on war with the KU as well, instead using these systems as a measure to scare off and respond in some manner. The crowning of Baati I is seemingly having no affecdt on the course of the war, as Demiksa has remained in office and his government is continuing the war. Requests to join a peace conference have been denied by Demiksa's government. The artillery shells meanwhile have hit countless of cities and towns alongside the border, displacing thousands and leaving a mark on the civilian population. Last week a school was hit by a 120mm howitzer shell, killing over 28 children and wounding hundreds. Countless of these instances have been reported now as Llaqtese forces shift to a policy of terror and war crimes in this war as they are unable to force a breakthrough. Infrastructure is also being shelled in the hopes of still cutting the mainland off from the coast and limit the supplies that can be transported to the frontline.

In the occupational zone reports of atrocities continue to be made and observers from the World Congress have now openly admitted that this war could see the largest human rights catastrophe and acknowledgement of war crimes in living memory with over 71.000 Llaqtese soldiers and thousands of pieces of equipment killed and destroyed and 50.000 Istapalian soldiers killed it is believed that at least 92.000 civilians have been killed or injured in the conflict so far, many a victim of the indiscriminate shelling and war crimes committed on occupied territories.