Kamphonese War

[jamescfm]

News relating to the Mosirak invasion of Kamphon and subsequent liberation efforts.

[jamescfm]

Mosirak Forces Land In Kamphon
Unterberger acts on long-standing claim to Cifutingani island with dispatch of amphibious assault force to northern shores
Wednesday 19th February, 4503


Kamphon is facing military occupation by the radical regime in Utari Mosir, with an amphibious invasion of the Cifutingani province beginning in the island's northwestern regions. Cifutingan's government became aware of the planned invasion less than twenty four hours before it began but this was sufficient time to begin a movement of troops from the mainland to the island province. Local defensive forces were mobilised and moved to meet the invading forces, though initial reports suggest that they have struggled to prevent the Mosirak push towards Ha Tàu.



Above: Members of the local Kamphon Defence Force patrol outside the rural city of Tounpang, believed to be the first major target for the invading Mosirak forces


The status of Kamphon has been a source of tension between Cifutingan and Utari Mosir since the countries achieved independence from colonial rule by Hulstria and Gao-Soto at the beginning of the millennium. Although the island has been controlled by Cifutingan since then, it was previously part of the North-Carina territory under colonial rule. When the colonies were granted a degree of self-government, the island became a part of the newly formed Cifutingan rather than the territory of South Utari Mosir, which would eventually become the modern Mosirak state.

The population of Kamphon is split between a Kamphonese majority, who are related to the people of southwestern Dovani, and small minorities of ethnic Utari and Cifutingani people. Although there have been political movements towards independence at times across the past several hundred years, most have ultimately died down due to the relative economic and political stability provided by Cifutingan in comparison to many other postcolonial states. Fears of the potential for civil war or ethnic violence have ensured that most Kamphonese people are satisfied with their status as a relatively self-governing province of Cifutingan.

The decision by Utari Mosir to launch an invasion now, despite having maintained their claim to sovereignty over the region for centuries, is believed to have been motivated by a combination of several factors. Internally the Independent Haukist Movement is facing growing unrest among the Utari population who have been segregated as agricultural workers for most of the previous century. The continued decline of the country's economy as a result of increasing isolation from industrialised economies has heightened these existing tensions. Meanwhile the Mosirak government is confident in their military position, as mutual defence agreements with Istapali and Liore mean that Cifutingan is surrounded by hostile neighbours and may paralyse it to respond decisively.

Kamphon Free Press is a local network of journalists in Kamphon providing objective reporting on developments in the Kamphonese War.

[jamescfm]

Kamphonese Local Government Surrenders
Invasion of island by Mosirak forces is completed as aerial bombing campaign forces governor into full surrender
Sunday 2nd March, 4503


Utari Mosir has officially declared the island of Kamphon to be a "special administrative territory" of the country following the surrender of the island's provincial government last night. The decision to cease the active defence of the island was informed by the central government of Cifutingan, who feel that a coordinated liberation of the island is a more effective way to regain control and to prevent a protracted conflict which would devastate the province's population.



Above: Bastian von Stroheim (left) and Noel Schiele (right), both leading figures in the Mosirak invading forces, on the streets of the Kamphonese capital after the surrender


Since the initial amphibious invasion last month, Mosirak military forces have moved rapidly through the western half of the island. An aerial campaign targeting the island's major barracks located on the outskirts of the capital among other important locations has aided Utari Mosir's advance and was undoubtedly a factor in the decision by Ong Visothirith, provincial governor of Kamphon, to surrender control of the island to Bastian von Stroheim, commander of the Mosirak forces.

International response to the invasion has been relatively unified, with governments across Terra condemning Utari Mosir's regime for what is being described as an "illegal occupation". Even among Utari Mosir's closest allies, there has been a relatively muted response. Although the three other members of the "Axis of Dovani" have made clear that they recognise the Mosirak claim to sovereignty of Kamphon, there have been no signs of mobilisation despite concerns from Cifutingan and its allies that an international conflict could be created by the invasion.

Commander von Stroheim has moved quickly in an attempt to prevent resistance to Utari Mosir's occupying forces. He has implemented a relatively laissez-faire approach to governance by allowing the local government to continue to make laws unhindered while sending troops to the island's other major cities, Nattadung and Wunmyo, in order to deter local citizens from taking to the streets against the occupying soldiers.

Kamphon Free Press is a local network of journalists in Kamphon providing objective reporting on developments in the Kamphonese War.

[jamescfm]

International Leaders Convene In Kipatauw
Diverse array of national representatives issue joint ultimatum to Mosirak government over Kamphon occupation
Wednesday 5th October, 4503


Leaders from twenty nations across Terra have gathered in the Cifutingani capital Kipatauw to coordinate a joint response to the occupation of the island of Kamphon by the radical regime in control of Utari Mosir. Last week the local Kamphonese government surrendered to the invading Mosirak forces and since then, Cifutingan has sought permission for a full-scale "liberation" of Utari Mosir from the World Congress Security Council. Though leaders have not ruled out such an invasion, they have clarified that this meeting was limited in scope to a response to the Kamphon invasion.



Above: Utembo's leader Mothei Mykel during discussions with other nations from across Dovani and beyond about the appropriate response to the Mosirak invasion


Representatives from Dorvik, Indrala, Lourenne, Luthori, New Endralon, Vanuku and Zardugal were joined by an array of Third World nations, many of whom were present at a major meeting between Third World leaders in Midway in September 4501. By assembling a diverse coalition of nations including historic rivals or former enemies, the Cifutingani government is aiming to pressure Utari Mosir into a peaceful withdrawal from the island and avoid the need to implement a military response, which could risk drawing Liore, Istapali and Suyu Llaqta into the conflict.

Once discussions had been held between the representatives, the Cifutingani Chancellor issued a public ultimatum on behalf of all nations in attendance. It set a deadline of 14th October for Mosirak troops to withdraw completely from the island or the coalition of nations would launch a full military response of their own to reassert Cifutingan's sovereignty over the island. While representatives were keen not to share any information about military operations, it is presumed that this response would be coordinated from the Cifutingani mainland.

Reports from Kamphon say the situation on the island is mixed. In the eastern regions, isolated resistance groups are utilising the remote hills to launch guerrilla assaults against the occupying forces and sporadic acts of violence against the Mosirak administrators are common from the native population. Aside from these incidents, though, very little has changed in terms of the daily life of Kamphonese people with some rural populations unaware that an invasion has even occurred.

Kamphon Free Press is a local network of journalists in Kamphon providing objective reporting on developments in the Kamphonese War.

[jamescfm]

Mosirak Proposal Unanimously Rejected
All members of the "Group of 20" reject Utari Mosir's attempts to rationalise their occupation of Kamphon
Friday 27th September, 4503


The coalition of nations who have threatened to intervene by military means to reassert Cifutingani sovereignty over Kamphon, dubbed the Group of 20 by the media, have unanimously rejected a proposal from the Mosirak regime which would have seen the country withdraw troops from the island in exchange for "all outside nations removing their military presence from the Third World" as well as the promise of a referendum on Kamphonese sovereignty to be held within six months.



Above: The INS Tianxing aircraft carrier moving through the Midway Canal in anticipation of the need for the coalition to take military action against Utari Mosir


Eilash Wesmer, the Chancellor of Cifutingan, made clear that there would be no negotiation between Utari Mosir and the coalition until all Mosirak troops had left Kamphon. The 14th October deadline for Utari Mosir to withdraw its troops is rapidly approaching and the Group of 20 has already made significant movements in preparation for the outbreak of conflict between the so-called "Axis of Sovereignty" and other states in Dovani.

The recently completed Indralan aircraft carrier the INS Tianxing is currently moving towards the Sea of Carina while a "defensive mission" has seen buildup along Cifutingan's borders with Liore and Istapali. Military and political leaders are concerned that the liberation of Kamphon will be perceived by other Axis nations as an infringement of Mosirak sovereignty requiring a response under their mutual defence treaties although there still do not appear to have been any mobilisation efforts from any of the three nations.

President Paulina Unterberger of the Independent Haukist Movement, meanwhile, has spoken publicly on the subject of the invasion for the first time. In a speech to the annual congress of her party, she said "the liberation of Kamfonn has been a tremendous success and a prefect demonstration of the strength of the Third World nations when we are united against colonial forces, attempts to restrict our development have failed spectacularly due to our robust and independent economy". The situation on the island remains quiet at present.

Kamphon Free Press is a local network of journalists in Kamphon providing objective reporting on developments in the Kamphonese War.

[jamescfm]

Air Campaign Begins Against Utari Mosir
Countries of the so-called Group of 20 begin targeting Mosirak military and infrastructure targets in Kamphon and on the mainland
Tuesday 15th October, 4503


An aerial bombing campaign has begun against targets in Utari Mosir and the occupied island of Kamphon. Twenty nations had issued a joint ultimatum calling for the Mosirak regime to withdraw their troops from Kamphon or face a military response but the deadline passed yesterday without movement from Utari Mosir. Vascanian, Indralan and Lourennais aircraft are now among those launching attacks against the country's military and communications infrastructure.



Above: Soldiers from Xsampa's Royal Army patrol a region along the Cifutingan-Liore border as part of attempts to prevent Axis nations from intervening in the Kamphon conflict


The first strikes against Utari Mosir were launched around 3am this morning by Ostlandic aircraft and aimed to destroy anti-aircraft defences in the border regions near Cifutingan and Ostland which might impact the effectiveness of the coalition's full air campaign. The Mosirak government made clear in the limited communications it had with the coalition, nicknamed the Group of 20, that it would attack if they attempted to liberate Kamphon, meaning that the Mosirak regime's own missile capability is a priority for the coalition in this early campaign in order to prevent civilian causalities in Degalogesa, Cifutingan and Ostland.

Underlying concerns that Istapali, Liore or Suyu Llaqta will respond to the coalition's military response remain despite no indication of mobilisation from any of these countries. Lourenne, Medina and Xsampa have all been involved in moving troops to Cifutingani and Degalogesan borders with the Axis states in order to deter a surprise response while Dorvik has increased its presence in Ostland in case the Mosirak government attempts to target their south-western neighbour.

While the aerial campaign appears to be moving forward successfully, political differences are thought to be developing within the Group of 20 over whether it is desirable to pursue a full-scale invasion of Utari Mosir once the liberation of Kamphon has been achieved. Ostland, Lourenne and Degalogesa are among the nations most strongly in favour of an invasion while Utembo and Ntoto have been clear in voicing their concerns about the threat of war spanning northern Dovani if the Axis nations or the unstable Kurageri entered the conflict.

Kamphon Free Press is a local network of journalists in Kamphon providing objective reporting on developments in the Kamphonese War.

[jamescfm]

Coalition Troops Land In Kamphon
Cifutingan leads southeastern invasion of the island following success of initial aerial campaign over the past two weeks
Wednesday 30th October, 4503


The first soldiers from the Group of 20, a coalition of nations which is fighting to reassert Cifutingani sovereignty over the island of Kamphon following invasion by Utari Mosir, have landed in the island's southeastern regions. The targeted bombing campaign undertaken by the coalition against occupying forces has enabled resistance fighters to organise more effectively in Kamphon and many small settlements in the countryside have now been liberated from Mosirak control as a result.



Above: Ratali is a small city in eastern Kamphon, which is an important control centre for occupying Mosirak forces and could be crucial to liberation efforts


The troops landing in Kamphon represent a diverse set of nations but the ones who have committed the most men aside from Cifutingan itself are Degalogesa and Midway. An immediate push towards the city of Ratali is believed to be their initial priority. A temporary command structure has been established which will see the local Cifutingani armed forces coordinating the liberation campaign, though with many other nations involved in directing operations.

Liberation efforts have so far been met with minimal and ineffective resistance from Utari Mosir. The Mosirak government has attempted to respond to what it has referred to as the "illegal invasion" of the island by launching missiles into neighbouring Degalogesa, Ostland and Cifutingan but the effectiveness of these devices has been limited and all three governments have taken measures to limit their impact on civilian locations. In spite of this, there are reports of several dozen deaths across the three nations.

Meanwhile Utari Mosir's allies in the "Axis of Dovani"- Istapali, Liore and Suyu Llaqta- seem to have decided they will not be involved in the conflict. The decision is beneficial to the Group of 20, many of whom were concerned that the Axis would provoke a continent-spanning conflict. Divisions remain in the coalition about whether a full invasion of Utari Mosir should be pursued once the Kamphonese conflict is over. If the coalition did pursue such an invasion, it would be far more likely to provoke conflict with the Axis countries.

Kamphon Free Press is a local network of journalists in Kamphon providing objective reporting on developments in the Kamphonese War.

[jamescfm]

Kamphonese Liberation Effort Complete
Second landing of primarily Ostlandic troops enables swift capture of capital by Group of 20 forces
Friday 8th November, 4503


Utari Mosir's invasion and occupation of the Cifutingani island province of Kamphon has been brought to an end by a coalition of twenty nations. Most of the island was already under the control of Cifutingan following the beginning of a ground campaign at the end of October but the liberation was completed in the early hours of the morning when a second landing of troops led to the capture of the capital by Ostland-led forces.



Above: Soldiers from Midway patrol a rural region of Kamphon as part of the Group of 20's initial landing and assault in the country's eastern regions


In collaboration with local resistance fighters, soldiers from the Group of 20 (an international coalition of nations) had already taken control of the island's eastern and northern regions. Ground forces landed on the island at the end of last month and were able to move quickly through rural regions, with Mosirak forces providing a poorly coordinated and ineffective defence.

The capital remained under the control of the occupiers, though, and it was thought that an assault would be launched before the start of next week. In the event, Ostlandic and other coalition troops launched a surprise second landing near to Ha Tàu and attacked from the north. The nature of this move enabled them to quickly assert control of the city while securing the surrender of Bastian von Stroheim, commanding Utari Mosir's forces in the "special administrative territory" of Kamphon.

The success of the campaign has been celebrated by many coalition leaders, with Lourennais High Chancellor Alicia Hauet referring to the liberation as "a fantastic victory for democracy, multilateralism and international law". Cifutingan's armed forces report that they will be ensuring the security of the island over the coming days and that a series of meetings with the Mosirak government will be set up to resolve the conflict formally.

Kamphon Free Press is a local network of journalists in Kamphon providing objective reporting on developments in the Kamphonese War.

[Auditorii]

Ostlandic air forces launch air strikes against Mosirak targets
Tuesday 15th October, 4503

The Ostland Air Force, one of the newest branches of the Ostland Armed Forces, better known as the Ostland Landwehr launched numerous airstrikes on the island of Kamphon as well as on mainland Utari Mosir. Ostland, which has been a leading opponent of the radical Haukist regime in Utari, was one of the first to begin surgical strikes against the Mosirak forces on Kamphon and mainland Utari Mosir. The Ostland Air Force, the brainchild of Generaloberst Karlheinz von Eisenhaus-Pilc who currently serves as the Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff, launched his full force of fighter and bomber wings against the Mosirak targets. While the Ostland Air Force remains one of the smaller air forces in the world, the Dorvish Air Force and Dorvish Armed Forces officers have been training them over a period of several years in order to be proficient combat fighters and able pilots.

Surgical strikes were first launched against enemy anti-air and makeshift anti-air positions. Despite the differences in equipment with both Ostland and Utari Mosir, the Ostlandic forces lost several aircraft to enemy anti-air fire. Ostland launched several rescue missions, backed by Dorvish special forces, to rescue downed pilots and were successful in the recovery of all pilots. While Ostland might be considered by some to be the "Third World" its powerful allies in the now defunct Northern Council as well as support by the Dorvish have allowed them to have significant military hardware. For instance, it was the powerful usage of the AC-295 Gunship, a variant of the C-295 developed by Artanian Defense Group and sold to both Dorvik, Ostland and marketed for other Artanian nations such as Luthori.

The primary combat element of Ostland aerial forces was the Jadggeschwader 1 "Grand Duke Magnus" (Fighter Wing 1 "Grand Duke Magnus" which is the sole fighter wing of the Ostland Air Force and responsible for all combat operations. While Ostland launched numerous air strikes, Ostland artillery formations on the border of Ostland and Utari Mosir pounded known military positions of Mosriak forces. Dorvish observers were embedded with Ostlandic units; however reports are unconfirmed that Dorvik and Ostlandic special forces operated behind enemy lines on a series of raids and convert combat actions. Overall the Ostlandic forces fell underneath the command of Generaloberst Karlheinz von Eisenhaus-Pilc with influence from numerous Dorvish staff officers who are assigned as a now seemingly permanent military attachment to Ostland.