Violence in Ashab Escalates, Civil War Erupts
In the first few days since violence was first reported in the capital city of Tarnum, the fighting in Ashab continues to escalate. The fighting was first reported by Adiran embassy in Tarnum, claiming the capital had suffered a massive artillery and air attack. Firsthand accounts have now confirmed that the airport is beyond repair, with additional reports stating that the city's industrial areas, power plants, and water treatment has been damaged or destroyed as well. The city is currently without power, and several civilian districts of the city have been damaged as well. It is currently unknown if the residential areas were deliberately targeted or not.
Since the attack, the Adiran embassy received a communique from the Anjideen government claiming that multiple army and air units have begun an open rebellion in the northwest, launching what was apparently a surprise attack on the capital and presumably other parts of Ashab. Witnesses in Tarnum describe a sizable air battle taking place in the skies above, with surface-to-air missiles being launched and also coming under attack.
Patriarch Gehtas Kurain released an online statement claiming responsibility for the attack and amounting to a declaration of war by the Theology Council. Sectarian tensions have risen sharply in the wake of the Anjideen government conducting airstrikes against what it claimed were insurgent strongholds in Saksem, resulting in a number of civilian deaths and inflaming Ashab's Catholic population. Capitalizing on discontent within the Ashabi military, Kurain released the following statement online:
(A link to Kurain's video is embedded in the news post, with the following shown in full)
The government has only today given any hint at its course of action. In Question Time today, Populist Assemblyman Katzman put it to the President directly apparently on behalf of the Ashabi expat community. Claiming to have received a number of inquiries in the immigrant communities where he campaigned, Katzman put the question to his own coalition.
"Both Catholics and Intaki fear widespread persecution and possibly genocide if given the opportunity. President Anjideen has carried out airstrikes in Catholic areas and suppressed the church for decades, and we've all likely seen Patriarch Kurain's statement calling for a purge of the Intaki. Given the potential for loss of life and a humanitarian disaster, what does the government plan to do about the fighting in Ashab?"
"First off, I do sympathize with the Ashabi people caught up in circumstances beyond their control, and I can say this government will not stand by and be party to genocide or ethnic cleansing. I've instructed the State Department to develop a plan by which Adiron will provide assistance to victims of persecution in Ashab, regardless of faith or political beliefs. This would likely be through our embassy and local consulates, who could assist such individuals in applying for refugee status and eventually evacuating them. In this manner, this government will be able to stay appraised of the situation and form the foundation for a formal investigation into war crimes, genocide, or other atrocities," President DeGroot replied.
Opposition Leader Saito then attempted to chime in. "Mr. President, do you not think this will put State Department personnel in unnecessary danger? Shouldn't these consulates be closed?"
"Due to the sudden outbreak of hostilities, Opposition Leader, it is the State Department's position that attempting to evacuate them immediately without adequate intelligence and in the midst of open hostilities would put our people in far greater danger. There are also a number of Adiran nationals still in Ashab, and consulates could offer them a port in the storm. This way they may still do some good even if they are trapped," the President explained.
"Does the President therefore plan on supporting the internationally-recognized Anjideen government in ending the rebellion by the Theology Council? Wouldn't ending the war do more good?" asked Growth Assemblyman Farr.
"With a lack of intelligence on the ground and a complex, volatile nation such as Ashab, the worst thing we can do is rush headlong into things without a plan. We know next to nothing other than that the Anjideen regime has come under heavy attack by the Theology Council across the nation. This government must always act in the Adiran national interest. Right now in Ashab, our interest is getting our people home and trying to protect the most vulnerable Ashabis in any way we can. After all, as Assemblyman Katzman highlighted, civilian populations on both sides of the conflict are currently at risk in Ashab."