First shots fired in Second Torsjo War
The first Torsjo war was one of the most destructive wars in Imperial history, and saw a then independent South Valeria and East Kisote invade Jugoskania from two fronts in a war to spread Islam and gain resources. South Valeria was actually the state to fall first, but less than a year later, the majority of the populace converted to Islam and turned on their former allies, marching south and starting a three year battle in the mountains for control of important provinces around Otavice. Jugoskania capitulated in the end, after taking innumerable losses, with the island falling completely under the control of its northern state. The only reason why both states are part of the Empire now is because Anglatia began a crusade to retake the region, invading from Lower Valeria and capturing everything from South Valeria(which is located on the northern part of the island of Jugoskania) to East Kisote.
South Valeria never went completely away, however. The state still maintains a semi recognized status as independent, based almost entirely in the provinces around Torsjo, and has an active military, the South Valerian Liberation Army. While Jugoskania swung to the far right wing after the first war, the South Valerians swung to the left, particularly socialism. For a state that had just been ravaged in a crusade by a far right monarchy, socialism looked quite appealing. It also was appealing to those who had seen their cities forced to fight in the crusade, which is partly why Middle Valeria is largely left winged. The other big difference is still religion. Jugoskania is largely Christian, both Orthodox and Catholic. Their neighbors are Sunni Muslims, and the borders of the region are almost totally defined by religion. Between the first and second wars, the SVLA massacred a series of Anglatian Catholic villages by the border. The militias from the south got their revenge by destroying any and all mosques in the country and murdering any Sunni leaders that they could find.
Some say that because of this and the frequent border skirmishes between Imperial and SVLA forces in the mountains means that the second war already started, but most believe that it didn't start until the militias of Otavice rose up once again and officially declared war on South Valeria, poising themselves to strike through the mountains and surround Torsjo. The first attacks came when three SVLA installations in the border mountains were destroyed by air to ground attacks by the militias, who still have a number of dated planes from the original war. The paramilitary forces have surprised everyone by their speed and quick mobilization, and an artillery battle between both sides has already started.
Ultimately, the point that needs to be controlled is the main mountain passage, which has a highway crucial to transporting soldiers in and out of South Valeria. That point is called the Wolfe Passage, and it is currently contested. Reports from the field say that the militias are sending two infantry divisions and two heavy armor divisions to take the passage quickly, but the SVLA has fortified it and has set up bunkers and defense points that will need to be taken down. Both sides have a reputation for fighting like demons, with the paramilitaries never officially surrendering in the first war and holding out on their own until they were relieved by Imperial forces. Their motto, in fact, is "No Surrender". On the other hand, the SVLA has been able to stay alive for over a decade after their defeat in the first war, and their own motto is "Not one step back".
The war is already affecting the populace, even celebrities. Footballer Zahara Santana notably showed support for Jugoskania by taking off her jersey and showing off a shirt after scoring in a national team match, that said "FCK SVLA". Hunsen Loggers midfielder Alysha Hakala, a fellow national team member, posted a photo to her social media accounts showing a poster that read "NOT ONE STEP BACK". Polling shows that the war is most devisive in Middle Valeria, where support for the SVLA is mixed, and in Valpalma, where the rebels are supported by 75% of he he populace. The biggest loyalist cities are Otavice, which is 99.6 percent loyalist, and Ross, which is 96.5 percent loyal. Underfell is the largest Valerian supporter of the Empire, at 92 percent support.
If the Second Torsjo War is anything like the first, this is only the beginning of a long and extremely bloody cycle. We can only hope that things will be wrapped up more quickly this time.