Enceladus News (ENCELADUS REGION ONLY)

[Iva]

Welcome to the Enceladus news network, home to news from across the world. Posts can cover a wide variety of topics- from wars, to inventions, to new laws, to elections, etc. The only requirements are that effort has been put into writing the news posts, the posts are of adequate length, and that everything posted from here down is IC. This thread is for Enceladus members only.

[Mavedon]

Communist militants occupy government facilities in Ekonos

Leader of militants demands independence for Ikona

Just under an hour ago reports of armed personnel taking control of several government facilities in Ekonos surfaced. After almost 30 minutes the Mavedonian government finally confirmed the reports, releasing a statement regarding the situation and parties involved. The armed militants are known as the Ikonan Freedom Brigade, of IFB, a notorious communist militant group centered in Ikona. The militants have taken control of several buildings in a small area of Ekonos and denied access to any civilians. Currently there are an estimated 300 government employees being held hostage in these buildings by around 100-200 militants. The militants are demanding independence for the island of Ikona in exchange for the hostages.

The militants entered the buildings around 9:00 this morning and gathered the employees into several central rooms. Since then Mavedonian soldiers have arrived outside of the buildings and attempted to conduct negotiations with the militants. Government reports described these negotiations as 'futile' and that the militants would 'only give in if Ikona becomes free.' Currently there are no casualties in the situation although Mavedonian officials predict that the militants may threaten to kill hostages if they grow impatient.

The IFB men traveled into the city in a variety of vehicles, most of which being trucks without covers. Surveillance cameras has revealed that Ikonan police officers allowed the militants to travel through the city and past government checkpoints freely. The Mavedonian government has confirmed that the officers in question have been taken into custody.

The participation of Ikonan civilians to aid the IFB men seems to show how much Ikona wants independence. Ikona has a population of just over 600,000 and is one of Mavedon's top tourist destinations. If granted independence the island would certainly be able to function on it's own, but it would be a huge loss to Mavedon both economically and strategically. "One of Mavedon's biggest fear is that if Ikona becomes independent it will become a military base for communist regimes across the world" says political expert Alexander Holigeros. "Ikona is situated in a very strategic location and would be the perfect place to stage an invasion of Mavedon and other neighboring states. If Ikona gains independence, much of Mavedon may soon fall to communism."

We will be sure to keep you updated as the situation in Ikona unfolds.

[Island of Ikona]

Ikonan Rebels Occupy Iolcyras and other territory

BREAKING NEWS: Ikonan communist rebels have occupied the city of Iolycras and other territory across the island of Ikona. The rebel leader, Lycomedes Manolis, has declared the independence of the People's Republic of Ikona. The self-proclaimed people's republic has named Ekonos as it's capital and has begun moving troops towards the city in attempts to occupy it. The communist militants have met very little resistance in the form of local police, many of which have sided with the Ikonan rebels and allowed them to pass freely through many towns and villages.

Various reports describe groups of anywhere from 10 to 200 PRI soldier's moving through towns and villages. Iolycras has been described to be 'crawling with rebel soldiers,' with some rough estimates guessing anywhere from 200-1000 rebels have already arrived in the city. Many local police forces have also taken up arms and joined the rebels, and whether these officers have been accounted for in these estimates is unknown. Rebels are armed with various rifles purchasable from gun stores, although some rebels have admitted to purchasing weapons from illegal sellers in the months and years before the rebellion. The rebel force is extremely well organized and was able to mobilize very quickly, seizing control of various government facilities and strategic locations across the island.

Rebels forces have also set up several checkpoints along major roadways, taking control of tollbooths and taking a reduced toll from the drivers. The rebels have access to many transport vehicles allowing for soldiers and supplies to be moved from place to place very quickly. The use of several civilian helicopters by rebel forces has also been confirmed but it is unlikely that they have many aerial vehicles at their disposal. The militants in Ekonos have also remained firm and have not released the hostages. More updates on the situation to come soon.

[Iva]

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[Mavedon]

Fighting in Ikona continues to escalate

Government forces face defeat as Ikona rebels take more territory

] The fighting in Ikona enters its second week today and shows no signs of slowing down, contrary to the beliefs of many Mavedonian officials. Instead fighting continues to escalate with rebel forces continuing to occupy large portions of the island. Rebel numbers are reported to be increasing as citizens are recruitied communist soldiers and officers. Several manufacturing facilities in the island have already begun producing the play of the People’s Republic of Ikona which can be seen waving out the windows of many houses and buildings across the island.

Currently Mavedonian soldiers are interlocked in a large battle with rebel soldiers in Iolycras. The small town of just 10,000 citizens has turned into a massive battleground over the last week. Two Mavedonian brigades are up against around 500-1000 rebel soldiers. It serves as a choke point between the rebel stronghold of Semopeion and is one of the most strategically important areas on the island. Many parts of the town have been reduced to rubble due to the fighting. Early last week rebel soldiers made several large advances forward through Mavedonian lines using well timed ambushed to catch our men off guard. Several initial successes pushed Mavedon out of the city until reinforcements arrived. Supported by strategic airstrikes on rebel locations in the town, Mavedonian troops have managed to move forward and retake about half of Iolycras. Currently there is very heavy fighting in Iolycras with casualties on both sides reaching the triple digits.

Tomyrian has also been occupied by the rebels and is the opening of a second front in Ikona. The occupation of Tomyrian has lead to fears of Mavedonian soldiers in Ikona being spread thin on the island as reinforcements are still traveling to join in on the fighting. Tomyrian was captured relatively easily by rebel forces as the small Mavedonian garrison was forced to retreat and reconnect with a larger unit. Since then Mavedonian soldiers have garrisoned in nearby cities to ensure that they remain in government possession.

Rebel fighters continue to launch ambushes across the island on Mavedonian troops, causing considerable damage in both the form of destroyed equipment and casualties. The war is expected to put the nation into debt as the mass mobilization of soldiers is extremely costly. Some soldiers report that over 20 Mavedonian tanks have been lost to the rebels, marking a serious blow to the military’s arsenal and adding more to the money lost from the war. Things are currently looking grim for Mavedon, but for the young People’s Republic, there is hope on the horizon.


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[City of Novorossiysk]

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[Mavedon]

Rebel soldiers move to take Dioscene

Fighting within the city begins

Fighting in the government stronghold of Dioscene began early today as rebel forces begin to move into the city. Sources reported that rebel cells began attacking government forces earlier this morning and that rebel troops from outside the city have moved into the town to join the fighting. The battle has been described as ‘very intense’ and ‘massive’ by both civilian and military sources, hinting that the current confrontation between rebel and government forces may be one of the largest we’ve seen on the island.

The young rebellion has seen great success in it’s early attempts at gaining land, easily taking parts of eastern Ikona and now small sections of the north. The rebel leadership now has set it’s sights on taking Dionscene, the town known as the Mavedonian military headquarters in the island. The move is a bold one that, if successful, could turn the tide of the war into Ikonan favor and potentially cripple the Mavedonian military. Much is at stake for both sides in Dioscene, making it likely one of the most important battle of the war.

Fighting began earlier this morning between imbedded rebel cells from within the town and patrolling government forces. After diverting attention to areas within the town rebel forces in the outside began to move in, quickly occupying several blocks of housing and businesses. The local population, numbering at around 30,000, has already shown signs of support for the rebel soldiers and have even welcomed some into their homes. Since then more cells have sprung up and attacked government soldiers while rebel reinforcements arrive from the south.

Many rebels are able to hide within cities as regular citizens and then take up arms when the opportunity arises. Tomyrian was occupied in this way and it is expected for many of the other cities across the island to have similar rebel cells preparing for future battles. “The rebel advantage is the ability to blend in,” says military expert Ionos Kepolonodipos. “The leaders can raise an army in a town without anyone knowing. It’s quite impressive- they are well organized and equipped. Even when the fighting begins, militants still blend in. It’s a tough situation.”

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[Tsaplya Republic]

Tsaplya Daily

Tsaplyan police arrest Rodion Kelsin

Tsaplyan police in Liev announced today that notorious criminal and drug kingpin Rodion Kelsin has been taken into custody after years on the run. Kelsin, known for his huge drug empire in the 90s and early 2000s, was found in an apartment on the outskirts of Liev. Police say that Kelsin and 12 other men, three of them also on the Tsaplyan wanted list, were arrested.

Kelsin’s drug empire became one of the largest in Edyna, spreading far across the continent. It quickly prompted an international crackdown with many nations in Edyna working together to bring an end to his empire and finally put Kelsin behind bars. Kelsin narrowly escaped arrest in 2004 and has been, for the most part, off the radar since. Several sources came out during the last 14 years describing Kelsin as “still active in the drug business” and “armed and protected.”

Liev police received some information on his whereabouts and were successfully able to track down information on a member of his group. Using their newfound information to question those who used to be close to him the police pinpointed several buildings that Kelsin may soon be traveling to. Surveillance cameras confirmed that Kelsin had entered on of the buildings in question, an apartment on the northern outskirts of Liev.

Several hours later Liev military-police stormed into the building from the windows, roof, and doorways, taking Kelsin and his men into custody without firing any shots. The exact details of the operations have been kept private but several social media posts show police using rappelling hooks to enter through the windows. An official government report revealed that a large amount of contraband was confiscated in the operation.

Kelsin is set to go on trial in the Liev High Court on Friday and is expected to be in a high security prison for the rest of his life. Kelsin faces many charges, including operation of a continuing criminal enterprise, firearms violations, money laundering, and homicide.

[City of Novorossiysk]

Ikona conflict may harm Novorossiysk trade

Companies demand government patrols

Novorossiysk Several Novorossiysk trade companies are demanding government escorts through the waters near Ikona due to the ongoing conflict on the island. The rebellion there has seen great success in its first few weeks of life and has already secured a siginificant amount of territory and equipment. Fears of the war spilling into the sea and damaging the Novorussian trade industry have surfaced over the last week and have lead to many companies in the city demanding that the Novorussian Navy does intervenes and ensures the safety of Novorussian trade vessels.

The war in Mavedon has gone on for almost three weeks now and does not seem to be slowing down at all. Rebel forces have made significant advances over the past few days, most notably their success in the government stronghold of Dionscene. Many reports of rebel acquisition of government equipment and weaponry have been confirmed by the Mavedonian government who said in a statement that at least 5 tanks and various naval vessels had been captured by rebel forces. Their access to naval equipment is the most troubling news to many Novorussian companies, fearing that the trade routes passing near Ikona will soon become war zones. Furthermore some fear that rogue groups of rebels may capture ships and valuable cargo.

The Novorossian government responded to the concerns of the companies with a short statement this morning:

We are working alongside our friends in Mavedon to ensure the security of Novorussian economic interests and the security of our people and equipment. We must respect Mavedon’s territorial sovereignty and will not send military assets into the country unless they are requested by their government. The Tsar plans to meet with Mavedonian diplomats soon and discuss possible solutions to the concerns of the people.”

So far Novorossiysk has maintained a neutral standpoint on the conflict, although some predict that if the conflict continues to go in the favor of the rebels that the Novorussian government may intervene on the side of the Mavedonians. Ensuring the safety of Novorussian trade routes is of great importance to the government, and a new communist nation in Ikona could be a problem.