RKT - Royal Kessa Times
Kessa, Martenyika
Zubele Involves Military Assets Against Organized Crime
National Guard reservists were activated to support Wednesday's crime sting in Hazhariland.
Several suspects were taken into custody, and others were injured or killed during the course of the operation. The suspects were employed by a known criminal enterprise originating within the Republic of Aziria. Although several suspects have been identified as local Hazhari or Martenyikan, two were from Aziria itself. It is believed that they may hold considerable rank within the Azirian group's Martenyikan apparatus.
Sources from the Gendarmerie, national government, and military confirm that President Zubele authorized the usage of military assets to support efforts against the criminal organization. A company of soldiers from the Ambojary area National Guard Battalion was activated and sent northward with the President's instruction. The President's actions confirm prior suspicions about a hard line against organized crime for the new year, based on statements in his new year's speech. Zubele claimed that organized crime should be "erased with swift justice" and that criminal enterprises hold Martenyika back. The sentiment echoed Almorean President Alasdair Hallowell's anti-cartel rhetoric following a rocket strike against a cartel compound within Almorea days ago. Commentators were quick to speculate that President Zubele would adopt an "Almorean strategy" against entrenched organized crime.
According to reports, the National Guard employed two light armored vehicles equipped with machine guns, as well as grenades during the operation. "Our role was to provide support in case of resistance, which we did, and terminated a firefight quickly so that no officers or troops were injured." Indeed, there were no casualties amongst the reservists nor Gendarmerie troopers present, although several armed criminals were killed or injured in the exchange. Grenades are believed to have killed two or three of the suspects. Action reports claim that these suspects were impossible to root out otherwise, without incurring losses among the forces involved. While some call the usage of force in this situation and the overarching Almorean strategy into question, the President stands by the strategy so far, stating that "Martenyika just too the first step towards liberating itself from the heinous, bloodsucking, and slaving criminal organizations that have encroached upon it. We can only excel if we rid ourselves of their chains."