Rise of the Phoenix

[Jaguar]

Grand Vizier Emir Hammoud Abujmal Demands That the Makhdoom Family Relinquish Their Long-Held Office of Grand Commander and Abandon the Practice of Nepotism and Restore the Sultan's Authority
September 3734

Grand Vizier Emir Hammoud Abujmal

Grand Vizier Emir Hammoud Abujmal has shocked the whole of Jakania when he spoke on television against the prevalent use of nepotism, lack of meritocracy and military dominance in Jakania's political culture. He also heavily criticized the Makhdoom family who have dominated Jakania's politics and army for nearly 400 years. He considers the Makhdoom Family as the source of Jakania's chronic social, economic and political problems. As a result, Hammoud Abujmal, as Grand Vizier, said that he sent a letter to Grand Commander Emir Hamas Makhdoom demanding that he resign from his post, order his family to abandon nepotism and return political and military power to the Sultan.


Emir Hammoud Abujmal promised to the people that he will reform Jakania by force if need be. He has already asked the Sultan, a member of the Makhdoom Family, to dissociate himself from the Makhdoom Family until they return the Sultan's authority. Abujmal also sent a letter of appeal to all noble families in Jakania to rally behind him and support him in his fight to modernize Jakania. So far the Abujmal Clan, Akemrah Family and Ghamaer Family have answered his call while the Makhdooms still hold the army and respect and loyalty of many noble families.

Sultanate's Court:
Abujmal Clan: 12,000
Ghamaer Family: 60,000
Akmenrah Family: 120,000
Total: 192,000
Reactionaries:
Makhdoom Family: 100,000
Various Families: 200,000
Armed Forces: 500,000
Total: 800,000

[Jaguar]

Grand Commander Emir Hamas Makhdoom Forces Emir Hammoud Abujmal to Leave Masuw, Sultan Faisal III Remains Silent
September 3734

Armed Forces of Jakania occupy the streets of Masuw and the Phoenix Palace

After Emir Hammoud Abujmal's attempts to curb the power of the Makhdooms and stating his plans to modernize Jakania on television, Grand Commander Emir Hamas Makhdoom immediately ordered the Armed Forces to occupy Masuw and have the entire city on lockdown. This prompted Grand Vizier Hammoud Abujmal to hastily leave Masuw with his followers and flee to Bogendo, Turjakistan territory.

The Grand Commander says that they have secured the Sultan's power and has driven the treacherous Grand Vizier out of the capital city. He has also announced his intentions to lead a small army to Boegndo and punish the renegade Grand Vizier. For now it is unclear if the Makhdooms still has the support of the noble families as the majority have not yet declared their loyalty, but what is clear is that they wield more power than the Abujmals or the so called "Sultanate's Court".

Sultan Faisal III has remained silent since the Grand Vizier made his appeal on television.

Sultanate's Court:
Abujmal Clan: 12,000
Ghamaer Family: 60,000
Akmenrah Family: 120,000
Total: 192,000
Reactionaries:
Makhdoom Family: 100,000
Various Families: 200,000
Armed Forces: 500,000
Total: 800,000

[Jaguar]

Turjak Nationalists Support the Grand Vizier and Tear Down Jakanian Flags Throughout Turjakistan and Replace it with Turjak Flags
November 3734

A Turjak rises the Turjak flag which is considered treason under Jakanian law

As Grand Vizier Emir Hammoud Abujmal's call for reform and modernization is heard throughout Jakania, Turjaks have raised their voice and flags in support of Abujmal's cause. When Abujmal sought refuge from Bogendo, Turjak officials were quick to grant him protection and refuge. This news was immediately accepted by many Turjak officials in Hufata who have lost hope in the insanity of the Makhdooms dominating Jakanian politics.

Now Turjaks throughout Turjakistan have stormed the branches of the infamous BRNSI and burnt their buildings to the ground. Many of its employees were decapitated and their head placed on spikes set up around their burning buildings to serve as an example to those who dare to go against modernization. Turjaks have also removed Jakanian flags, a serious crime offence, and replaced it with Turjak flags which the Grand Vizier has conveyed emotions of disappointment and anger to those who had the audacity to desecrate Jakanian flags. Turjak police have also arrested Jakanian officials in Turjakistan and presented them to the Grand Vizier for review and interrogation.

As of now 80,000 Turjaks have signed up to join Abujmal's forces. While the Grand Commander halted his advance and returned to Masuw.

[Jaguar]

Talks to Prevent Civil War Fails after Two Months of Negotiations
February 3735

Turjaks officials (left) representing the Grand Vizier negotiating with Jakanian officials (right) representing the Grand Commander

Two months ago both forces loyal to the Grand Vizier and forces loyal to the Grand Commander engaged in talks to find a solution to this crisis. However, the talks have failed miserably with neither side willing to make concessions in the name of peace. The prospect of a full-scale civil war happening in Jakania will certainly, without a doubt, is going to happen.

A mediator, appointed by the Sultan to preside over the negotiations, said that the Makhdoom family refuses to relinquish their long-held and seemingly hereditary post of Grand Commander. They've also denied practising nepotism, saying that the family valued merit over familial ties. The Makhdooms also said that their actions are all done in the name of the Sultan. While the Grand Vizier refuses to resign and apologize to the Sultan for his brash behaviour and lack of confidence in Jakania's politics. In addition, the Grand Vizier rejects the demand to surrender all his family's assets to the Makhdooms as punishment for his folly behaviour.

Noble families great and small, including the Sultan, are observing the events very closely, but the majority remain silent as they anticipate the next moves that either side will make.

[Jaguar]

Sultan Faisal III Issues Royal Decree to Abolish Consultative Assembly, Office of Grand Commander and Establish Direct Rule!
August 3735

Artist's sketch of the moment where Turjak and Jakanian politicians listen to the Sultan's Royal Decree

Several months have passed since the failed negotiations and both sides have done nothing extreme other than exchange insults and threats of civil war. However, in a surprising turn of events, Sultan Faisal III had his secretary write up a Royal Decree and hand it over to the Speaker of the Consultative Assembly, Iham Akmenrah.

Today, Speaker Iham Akmenrah invited the press and members of the Consultative Assembly to hear the Sultan's Royal Decree. The Sultan has decreed that the Consultative Assembly, Jakania's legislature, and the office of Grand Commander abolished and has now established direct rule and command over the Armed Forces. The Supreme Court of Jakania has not recognized this decree as it goes against Jakanian law. Supreme Judge Mustafah Akmenrah said that the Sultan cannot act independently of the advice of his Ministers. However, many Jakanians welcome this intervention from the Sultan as 300,000 soldiers occupying Masuw have sworn allegiance to the Sultan and will now receive orders from the Sultan. As for Hamas Makhdoom, he states that he will not recognize this decree and has threatened to launch a military campaign to seize Masuw and the Phoenix Palace if the Sultan does not revoke his decree.

Many nobles are now backing the Sultan's decree and the Grand vizier has welcomed this news. Grand Vizier Hammoud Abujmal says that this will be a short war.

[Jaguar]

The Battle of Yahah Ends in a Decisive Defeat for the Makhdoom Forces After Two Months of Fighting
October 3735


On the 1st of September of the year 3735, forces loyal to Grand Commander Hamas Makhdoom set out from Sonhata to seize Masuw, and win the back the power and influence that they lost when the Sultan made his decree in August.However, Makhdoom's army of 300,000, marching in the direction of Masuw, met the formidable Sultante's army at the city of Yahah, the city blocking his way to the capital city of Masuw.

Grand commander Hamas Makhdoom saw a heavily defended city with reports from his spies saying that civilians have been moved out and that only the Sultanate's army of 50,000 occupied the city. Spies also noted that the Sultanate's forces were ill-equipped and disorganized as the majority of their equipment were still held in Masuw due to logistical setbacks.

On the 2nd of September, Makhdoom, confident in the knowledge given by his spies about the state of the defensive army in Yahah, ordered 10,000 troops to move towards the city however they were met with heavy bombardments that surprised the Grand Commander. 320 died before they were forced to retreat.

On the 3rd of September, Makhdoom launched a full-scale assault that would last for three weeks. Using tanks and artilleries Makhdoom penetrated the first defence of the city with only 600 casualties. However, Sultanate forces launched a surprise attack reclaiming their lost positions and causing the death of 1,000 of Makhdoom's army.

On the first week of October, Makhdoom heard reports that noble families loyal to him in Sonhata and Borenu were defecting to the Sultanate after hearing of Makhdoom's misfortunes to defeat the 50,000 army.

On the second week of October, disgruntled nobles families had defeated loyalists and taken Sonhata and Borenu in the name of the Sultan. Supplies becomes a problem for the Grand Commander and the number of attacks made on the city of Yahah decreases.

On the last week of October, the Sultante's main army of 760,000 arrives and engaged in a bloody encounter with Makhdoom's entire army. After 2 days of fighting, Makhdoom's army is thrown into disarray and many desert. Others defect and arrested the Grand Commander, ending the war.

[Jaguar]

Emir Hamas Makhdoom Found Guilty of Treason and Sentenced to Death. Makhdoom Family No Longer Powerful
May 3737


In May 3737, after a trial that lasted for a year, the Supreme Court found Emir Hamas Makhdoom guilty of treason and sentenced him to death by decapitation. After his head was paraded around the capital city, he was entombed in the Mausoleum of Grand Commanders in Yahah, before it was forever sealed under the orders of the Sultan.

As for the Makhdoom family, their wealth and a number of their important properties were seized by the state. However, the family are allowed to remain part of Jakania's nobility and retain the position of Head of the Bureau of the Royal National Security Investigations, but their influence and power have significantly been reduced. The Makhdooms have also been indefinitely barred from entering military service and forbidden to levy troops in their area. Additionally, all Makhdooms serving in the military have been forced to resign.