Jihadists Advance in Jaf Region [MT, DONE]

[Christoslavia]

Saqaf Int'l
Commanders Tent
Colonel Jone

"Lieutenant. Relay this message to the frontline. We are to fight to the last man, and command wants the runway blown to prevent those Heldorian fucks from using it if we fall. If we hold out today we will be evacuated tomorrow. Go!"

The explosives were placed, sappers managed to get around the almost constant artillery and laced the important bits of the runway with all the explosives on hand and boy it was gonna be loud.

"Alright Boys, hit the switch, light her up!"

[Deutsche Demokratische Reich]

Berlin, DDR

Soldiers performing changing of the guards ritual at the tomb of the unknown soldier, near the Palace of the Republik and the Presidential residence.

President Söllner was having a rather quite presidency. The People's Republic hadn't gone to war in quite some time, and despite somewhat growing tensions between Germany and her neighbor France, things have been relatively quiet. Unlike the last President who funded and sent support to revolutions world wide, Söllner had taken a relatively relaxed position on German foreign affairs...

Of course, this changed when he received an interesting report from the foreign affairs sector of the German Communist Party. Reports have come of a Jihadist insurrection, and a government in danger of being taken over by Islamic extremists.. This provided potential to continue spreading the Socialist message world wide... He leaned back in his chair, fiddling with his pen for a few moments as he sat there.. Thinking.. Sure, they could send military advisers. But what else could be done? As he continued to ponder possibilities..His phone rang. Interrupting his thought process as he grabbed it
"Hallo?"
It was the Stasi Headquarters. They had been watching the scene in the Jaf region closely, and had been drawing up plans for a potential socialist victory through some complicated 89-dimension chess idea of theirs.

The plan was simple, use military advisers to indoctrinate socialist-style military discipline, and use the movement of advisers to place Stasi agents within local and provisional governments. Use money gained from government positions to fund Socialist movements that will rise post-war.. And of course, crush the Jihadists.

The President hung up, cracking his fingers as he typed up a reasoning behind such actions on his computer...

A Day After..


Furious debating in the Palace of the Republic..

After a long and brutal debate in the German party about the idea sending advisers to a foreign nation took place, many felt divided among the party.
However, all fears were certainly put away as the Party and worker's councils finally voted 'Yes' to the proposal, after the President explained his reasoning of ending terrorist regimes and saving innocents alive.

"Our goal is one of humanitarian principle." The president said, his words being broadcasted live on television "We want to save these innocent people from a war mongering terror regime with the intent of destabilizing world piece and bringing in forth hateful ideas to innocent people. We cannot afford such extremist ideas to take power, as it is as comparable to fascism and Nazism. And our nation has promised to crush those two ideologies wherever they bring their ugly heads."

This speech was met from applause by the German party members, and the vote came out in the favor of the President's position.

Proletarier aller Länder, vereinigt Euch!

To: Government of ZEVRETIN, and its political and military leaders.
From: Minister of German Foreign Affairs, Broz Gunter and Armeegeneral Hans Lance
Encryption: Highest.


In dark times of crisis, when radical religious ideas become the tool of terrorist organizations..One must look towards the hope of secular governments such as yours.

The German Democratic Reich is interested in aiding your cause against the dangerous Jihadists who threaten the stability of your nation, and the surrounding region. Our interest goes so far to give you Military advisers and weaponry for your armies, and potential air support against terrorist troops. Our Navy and Air Force are some of the best in the world, and we are more than willing to support you in your fight against the dangerous forces of terrorism.

Please respond when Possible...

GDR Government

[Heldoria]

Saqaf Airport, 0746 Hours, 1st Section, 3rd Hall, 6th Cohort, Terico XII

The door flung open with a hard thud, the loud ching-ching-ching of the IFVs autocannon almost drowned out the noise of suffocating and burning men. Almost. The hot air was intermingled with the smell of burning flesh and gun powder so potent it penetrated SSgt Becker`s gas mask, he had to squint his eyes as he came out of the loading deck and he turned to his right rifle butt to his shoulder as his red dot optic came into view he saw a Christoslavaian Marine who managed to get his gas mask on and pulled the trigger. Crack, the recoil transferred to his shoulder as a pinkish red mist came from the poor bastard`s chest and he stumbled back and feel onto the ground. Becker fired another round to ensure his kill, he jumped into the trench line his Section following as 2nd Section branched off to the left to clear the trenches. Crack, crack, crack, crack a burst of automatic gun fire ripped into the trench to his right, he turned and fell to the trench wall as he saw a Christoslavaian standing there, he pulled the trigger twice crack, crack pink mist erupted from the man`s chest. SSgt Becker leaned on the wall looking left to right as his Section stood on ramparts firing towards the airport kicking up dust and sand. He stood up and grabbed a stick leader, Sgt Fedor, and over the din over battle shouted into the man`s ear.

"Take your stick and go right! i`ll have Trenton follow me with his stick!" Becker yelled and the Fedor nodded in understanding and turned to his stick and waved them to follow him he, they disappeared around the corner where the iconic crack-crack-crack of rifle fire could be heard.

[Christoslavia]

Saqaf Int'l
0750 Hours
Condition:FUBAR
17th Advanced Infantry Division, Cpl. Hern

"Fuck me not again". The sound of cannon fire overhead was as deafening as it was annoying, fucking impossible to drown out. The rest of Zeta Squad was caught by a well placed RPG and now he was fighting for his life at this point, which wasn't really an issue considering the last order to crackle out the comms. Two Heldorians busy picking off Hern's brothers suddenly dropped dead with blood exploding out of the front of their faces "That'll teach those motherfuckers". Hern kept moving through the trenches, occasionally letting off a round or two that would find its home in the skull of a Heldorian.
Out of nowhere a huge explosion rocked the whole complex and Hern swore to god the fighting stopped for a full minute. He heard some Heldorians screaming "Holy fuck they blew the runway up! What the fuck is the p'-" they were unfortunately cut short by Herns well placed frag grenade. If we could just repel this one attack, we would get evac'ed out of here. If not, well id like to see the Heldorians find this place useful now. "For Christoslavia!" He stood up out of the trench and starter unloading on enemy troops, this was for his brothers.

[Heldoria]

0755 Hours, Saqaf Airport

Becker continued through the trench system, Trenton`s stick follow him as they moved through the complex earthworks clearing pockets of resistance. His radio crackled to life.

"SSgt Becker, its Dontare. It`s confirmed, the Chirstoslavians have blown the run way. Strategic asset is down, orders have changed to crippling or destroying the garrison. MBTs are moving up."

Becker pulled the radio from his vest gruffly.

"understood sir, my half of the Section has been clearing the eastern trench works and have been receiving support from 2nd section." Becker let his radio go silent, and switched to Hall command.

"This is SSgt Becker of 1st Section, requesting armored support on main assault eastern trench works." The radio was silent for a moment before crackling to life.

"Affimartive SSgt, Cohort command has released the armor. sending one your way!"

Becker popped his head up from the trench work and saw the airport 200 meters away, with gunfire resonating everywhere, he saw soldiers of both sides bottling over top the trench system and engaging in sporadic fire fights and hand to hand combat.

Crack!

Dust flew up in Ssgt Becker`s face as he took cover, he left himself open to long and got lucky. but he knew it had to come from the section of the trench up ahead, he removed a stick grenade from his belt and slipped a fragmentation sleeve over it and flung it around the corner.

Boom!

the soun d of sand and dust being thrown into the air and settling was intermingled with the sounds of men screaming and wailing in pain from up ahead now. Becker took Trenton and his stick around the corner to continue on this fight, it`s either they kill all of these Christoslavians or they died in this worthless hell hole.

[Christoslavia]

Saqaf International
8:01 AM Local Time
Commander's Tent
Colonel Jone

"This is Colonel Jone to Artillery Batteries, Howitzer Companies 7 and 19, open fire on the airport and all surrounding areas, we are completely overrun. Turn this place to rubble and ash. That is an order. This is Colonel Jone, signing off."

-Last known transmission from Colonel Jone, current status MIA, presumed KIA

Cpl. Hern

"Fuck that grenade was close", Hern returned fire in the general direction from which it came and watched all around as death and destruction turned a "strategic asset" into Hell on Earth. Hern ducked his head and took cover only to hear a terrifyingly familiar whistling, as he turned and looked up to the sky, he saw something that shook him to his core. "Our own artillery? They're going to fucking kill us all". As hellfire and brimstone rained down on every last moving thing at Saqaf International, Hern got down on his knees, and prayed that he would live.

-Corporal Karn Hern, MIA, presumed KIA

[Christoslavia]

9:00 AM Local Time
Nitaq, Commanders Tent
General Ramer

"Sir, the garrison at Saqaf Int'l resorted to Contingency Plan Echo".
"Is that so, unfortunate". Ramer would have to find a new second in command now, and he was very peculiar about the men he liked working for him, it was a pity, he had liked Jone; but it mattered not for all of Ramer's brothers at the airport were martyrs for the State now.
The shelling had been going since 8:00 in the morning, as soon as the sound of exploding AA batteries among other defenses was heard the order was given. Just over the duration of this day, millions of shells would be dropped on Nitaq, and if that didn't force the city to surrender, infantry would have to move up and clear the way for the armor, if it even came to that. But he had faith in his men. Every soldier of Christoslavia in this country was handpicked by Ramer himself, only the best.

"Radio Nasser AFB and tell them that Zevreti and Christoslavian air power is clear to begin pummeling this city in 3 hours.". "Yes sir".


9:30 AM Local Time
Wahdabad, Undisclosed Zevreti Black Site
Agent Q

"So, they call you O-Lucky huh? Well, let's see how lucky you are with me pal". Q turned the dial up to 10 for a full 10 seconds, some men could've died but he had faith in his new plaything that it wouldn't wear out too terribly soon. "I'm sorry did that hurt? Well if you don't give me the exact defense scheme of Nitaq, then I might just have to do that again, among other things. No, nothing? Alright buddy your choice, but you'll be in for one hell of a ride. Get me the bamboo, I think our friend here is in need of a...manicure".

[Heldoria]

Highway 9, 810 Hours

Major Dewitt watched as the whine of enemy artillery began to fade and the airport was turned to rubble and ash, the strategic value was washed all together and the causalities had to be more than half his cohort... damn it! For the love of god damn it! he was awaiting the current sitrep of the Hall commanders, so far... only one is alive the others are presumed dead and their companies have sustained at least 80% losses. He had to remember that the benefit was that an enemy ground force was completely removed.

The radio crackled

"Major Dewitt, this is colonel Lauffage. Sitrep?"

"Sir, the enemies scuttled the airport and brought their own damn artillery down. currently we are collecting whatever survivors we can, but the cohort is basically scrapped."

"Understood Major, I know you and your men have to be tired but their is a offensive being focused on Nitaq. The two remaining Cohorts will rendezvous roughly 10 miles out side of the city, main priority is to remove the enemy artillery that is shelling and help relieve forces so Cespioum forces can fight their way out. You have until 0500 tomorrow morning to be there"

"Aye sir"

Dewitt sat the radio down and walked to his command vehicle, and sighed heavily. Sometimes, he thought, sacrifice for the sons and daughters of Heldoria was... more then one could take, but it was still his duty all together.

Saqaf Airport 0820 Hours

Becker moved, his ears ringing as the sand and rubble shifted off him. The gas had cleared by now and he took off his gas mask, the smell of burning oil and sounds of wounded men filled his ears violently. He looked around and hell was all around, Trenton`s stick had only two survivors both requiring immediate medical attention or they`d die soon. The fact was... of the 800 men assaulting the Airport maybe 100 still lived and maybe half of that could still move. He grabbed his radio and hit the com button and searched frequencies, the only one responding was Cohort command. He took a deep breath and found his rifle, and sat against a trench wall as he chimed in telling them of his position.

He ebbed in and out of consciousness, and found himself to drift further into a dreamless rest where he was found by a the Cohort recon team.

[Zevretin]

With the retreat of the Legionnaires, regime forces within Saqqaf International were at last given some relief after almost 48 hours straight of fighting (though it varied in intensity). In spite of everything, much of the airport garrison maintained spirit. They had lost easily one hundred men, possibly more; at that point, they were still digging through rubble left behind by Cesopiumian munitions. The recovered bodies of jihadists and their Cesopiumian allies were divided carefully, at the request of Colonel Sayegh. While many grunts wished to take trophies and grant no form of burial rights for the foreign soldiers, Sayegh would not have it- insisting that the bravery and resolve of the foreigners was enough to earn them a decent burial. “And furthermore,” he stated plainly, “I know these Legionnaires would crawl right out of the grave to take this place again if they were ordered. They WILL be buried with respect.” The bodies of Martyrs, however, were mutilated and displayed at the front gates. The airfield itself was in decent shape for the most part, though the lighting systems that were crucial for night landings were obliterated. Many new and expensive anti-air systems in place along the tarmac were destroyed, to Sayegh’s disdain. During the cleanup, the 3rd Motorized helped reinforce and secure the entirety of the wire, while any remaining men slept. Multiple requests for ammunition and fresh bodies were sent to Wahdabad and Nasser AFB, both of which responded immediately, aware of the beating they had taken.

In spite of this, forces loyal to the Young Martyrs were unrelenting in their push, with Heldorian ground elements charging furiously toward the outer trenches of the airport. A combination of gas and heavy munition sent the body count of regime troops soaring, with the majority falling back inside the wire. Meanwhile, Sayegh and his Christoslavian counterparts made the decision to blow the runway, aware that defeat was imminent. Sayegh's men, despite being valiant in their defense, were losing spirit quickly. In an effort to inflict as much damage as possible before pulling out, Sayegh ordered the 3rd Motorized to take up positions at the gates, halting Heldorian advances through heavy machinegun fire. Simultaneously, 122mm field gun crews within the terminal (newly replenished thanks to the efforts of Nasser AFB's logistics battalions) were given orders to fire on armored vehicles with white phosphorus shells (primarily because of their suitability for such a situation, but also its effect on morale). Gradually, one APC after another was struck with the shells, burning its occupants alive and destroying the functions of the vehicle itself. Meanwhile, the Christoslavians were just as resolute in inflicting damage as the Zevritis, possibly more so as they ordered fire missions on their own positions. Colonel Sayegh, outraged, filed out of the control tower with his men, rounding up the remainder of regime forces by means of comms. Reserves, artillerymen, and motorized infantry fled in a loosely-organized convoy under the cover of smoke and obvious destruction, leaving behind scrapped vehicles and weaponry for the enemy. Smug, Colonel Sayegh additionally put the "Advance of the Republican Guard" on a loop over the loudspeaker system, though he wasn't sure how long it would last due to the artillery fire.

[Christoslavia]

10:00 Local Time
Saqqaf International

Hern woke up buried underneath brick, and mortar, and bone. It was as if the weight of the world was weighing down upon him quite literally. It took some time but he managed to un-bury himself and survey the damage around him. Cesopians, Heldorians, Young Martyrs, Zevriti, and Christoslavian. Men were dead on top of each other in ungodly large piles. Helicopters, weapons systems, APC's, all smoldering, blackened wrecks. And there was a peculiar smell in the air, white phosphorous? Hern quickly pulled up his shirt over his mouth because he knew damn well what it would do to him. Hern said a quick prayer for his brothers and sisters in arms, and took off for Nasser AFB, assuming he'd make it there alive, but fuck, considering he survived this, he was god damn invincible. "Maybe I'll get a promotion?", he chuckled to himself, and walked off into the distance, leaving Hell behind.

[Christoslavia]

Wahdabad
Zevreti Black Site
Agent Q

"There, those bamboo sticks under your nails really bring out your eyes, Now thank you for that wonderful information, we really do appreciate it". Agent Q lifted the X-10 .45 Handgun to O-Lucky's head and pulled the trigger.

Encrypted Message: Maximum Encryption
"General Ramer, this is Agent Q, we got what we needed, the defense layout of the whole damn city and what they got planned for us, files are being sent to your Command Network currently, Agent Q over and out."


Outside Nitaq
Commander's Tent
General Ramer

"Radio Nasser AFB and give them these exact coordinates Lieutenant, it'll let our friends know exactly where to strike, Nitaq will be ours before the month's up."

URGENT MESSAGE TO COLONEL SAYEGH AND NASSER AFB
MAXIMUM ENCRYPTION

We have received the layout for all opposition fortifications in Nitaq, within the files attached are the coordinates for which our jets can strike and cripple enemy defenses, paving the way for an assault on the city itself. Godspeed.

[Zevretin]

***ENCRYPTION: MAX

THE ARAB SOCIAL REPUBLIC OF ZEVRETIN
TO: GERMANY, DEMOCRATIC REICH

President Saqqaf personally accepts your offer, and congratulates you on taking the initiative to fight radical terrorism wherever it is harbored. Additionally, he expresses great gratitude for your offers to commit both air and ground elements to the conflict in Jaf, and accepts this as well. The Zevriti Foreign Ministry will open up channels of communication between that of the GDR's military command staff and of our own, so as to better coordinate the logistics aspect of moving men and vehicles across the world. You are free to deploy to whichever position you deem suitable at the front line, though we suggest Nasser Air Force Base, or Wahdabad International Airport. We wish to reiterate our thanks for your proposals, and look forward to future cooperation between our two nations. God be with you.

[Cesopium]

Nitaq Front, 1st Battalion
Artillery strikes pounded down upon the city of Nitaq, following standard procedure the Legionnaires with their heavy equipment moved into parking decks and a maze of buildings and alleys to shield themselves from the indiscriminate shelling into the city. The order was lit as Lieutenant Colonel Henning Itzen remained near the airport they had attempted to take before, sending out orders to the 3rd Company who was now taking refuge in the labyrinths of Nitaq. A assault would come soon, but perhaps they would be forced to charge out of the city depending how circumstances were to go.

The single remaining Mil Mi-28 assigned to the 1st Battalion had reported in news of assault taking place on the Saqqaf International Airport which they had attempted to seize some time before, was now under attack from soldiers from another country allied with the Young Martyrs. Perhaps seeing the chance to take the airport once and all, the 1st Company mortar's crews fired off smoke cartridge one after another to screen the Legionnaires own assault. Once again as the days had passed by the Mil Mi-28 was rearmed in a local established helicopter base nearby the city of Aizdihar. Destruction of local weapon caches forced the Cesopiumian helicopters to now rely on a surplus of S-8 rockets instead of their pillbox busting S-13s but now had 40 rockets to blast into one poor unfortunate bunker.

Following this screening attack, the MG3 crews opened up on any resistance in the buildings of the airport still facing their direction in order to take down whatever resistance was left. Legionnaires moved on their flanks in a effort to retake the now ruined buildings as fighting continued between the two sides.

Meanwhile, the 2nd Company awaited with reports of artillery strikes crashing down in Nitaq on the 3rd Front, moving up 3rd Company casualties up to 14. Lieutenant Colonel Itzen determined that an enemy must be nearby Nitaq and preparing to assault it, and so he decided to send out the fully-stocked and fresh 2nd Company to intercept this force with the Mil Mi-28 who was sent alongside them. Making a move toward Nitaq to the north of their current position it wouldn't be long before they arrived.

2nd and 3rd Fronts, Aizdihar and Manar
The 2nd Battalion had overran positions at the borders of the start of the fighting before their intervention, overrunning the positions of regime trench lines one after another. The forces were rapidly approaching Highway 9 in an attempt to cut off supplies from the rest of the government forces in the region. While in the south the 3rd Battalion's advance upon the Textile Complex was met with a brick wall of enemy soldiers, facing surprisingly stiff resistance, there were rumors among the Legionnaires that they were facing off a contingent of Republican Guards instead of the standard infantry who seemed to falter so easy. Mil Mi-28 Helicopters among both battalions were essential, still armed with S-13 rockets as they rapidly overcame positions before this were now putting them good use on any decent enemy positions they could find.

[Christoslavia]

Outside Nitaq
11:00 Local Time
General Ramer

"Sir, recon unit report a fully stocked Cesopian company, plus an Mi-28 heading towards our position, they're going to try to break the siege."
"Is that so? Tell Nasser AFB to divert a few helos to our position, and as soon a that Mi-28 gets in range I want all our T-9 Mobile AA platforms to send that thing to hell if our helos can't get to it first. As for the infantry, send out the 3rd and 4th company's and the 7th Motorized Brigade. These bastards picked the wrong day to test me.

Outside Nitaq
11:20 Local Time
3rd Company
4th Company
7th Motorized Brigade
Christoslavian Army

Close air support saw 3 of of our S-79's blow that Mi-28 into oblivion while simultaneously making one strafing run against enemy troops. With that, Tanks and IFV's moved up and smashed through the Cesopian company's line, the pounding of the IFV's heavy cannons caused mounds of sand and dirt be permeated with red, the H-7 Heavy Assault Tanks cleaned up enemy armor while the coaxial .50 cal MG's swept up enemy troops. After that the Infantry moved up armed with Mid Range R-9 Assault Rifles and engaged in an intense firefight with the Legionnaires, we were sustaining mild casualties but not as much as they were. "Press the assault, finish up these Cesopians then regroup with the main force!"

[Christoslavia]

Outside Nitaq
3rd Company
SSgt. Jones

The S-79's arrived and turned the enemy Mi-28 into a burning scrap heap, after making one run against infantry and vehicles then went to Nasser AFB to refuel.
RPg's were flying every which way, a couple of our tanks suffered direct hits but any poor bastard to be spotted was turned into oblivion by a shell bigger than him. The IFV's cannons constantly pounding permeated mounds of sand with blood, staining them crimson. SSgt. Becker was laying down suppressing fire with his K-12 LMG and took out a squad of Cessopians running down the street, he moved with his squad building to building clearing them out one by one, this firefight wouldn't be over any time soon, but as long as we were winning that was all that mattered.

[Deutsche Demokratische Reich]

To: Respective Government of ZEVRETIN
From: The German Democratic Reich Military command.

With communication finally established between our militaries, we can formally discuss the logistics of the movement of our military intervention.
The GDR is not so willing to deploy so many vehicles to your nation, but we have a large surplus of modernized artillery that could be used in aid against the Jihadists. We also have military officers willing to help your soldiers and give them the expert military traditions of the great German armies. Our doctrines has won us the Second World War, and has won us countless of other conflicts in the Reich and beyond. We have some of the best officers willing to help you in the fight against radical terrorism.

We will also be deploying our one aircraft carrier temporarily to Zeveretin to get our air forces into your area. We would need you to open up some air stations for us to host our TU-22's and several fighter bombers and jets. We will use these vehicles in our brutal attack against the jihadists that will demoralize them and outgun them.

We await your reply...

[Zevretin]

AIZDIHAR FRONT, JAF GOVERNORATE


With Colonel Sayegh's remaining forces withdrawing to Nasser AFB, the battered unit crossed paths with the 5th Mechanized Division, along with the 1st Brigade of the Republican Guard, who were heading to reinforce regime positions at the textile complex- doing so by means of Highway 9. Naturally, before continuing their push, the 1st Brigade greeted their brothers from the 3rd Motorized, who were undoubtedly heading home at some point for R-and-R. The two Republican Guard units exchanged gifts and good conversation over coffee, posing for photos as well. Despite mixed results in their operations, the 3rd was tired but clearly confident in the abilities of their fellow Guardsmen, and expressed a potential desire to return to the field soon. After almost a half hour, the convoy was off yet again. Unfortunately, they were stopped short in their advance by a sizable force of Cesopiumian Legionnaires, who had driven straight through regime checkpoints along the road. This battle was to be exceptionally deadly in that there was little to no cover; just a road and endless desert. The 5th Mechanized responded quickly, forming a perimeter with their BMP-1's and BTR-80's and allowing 1st Brigade to dig in within it. While the 5th attempted to push back ground combatants with their turrets, 1st Brigade coordinated either surviving units at their checkpoints in an effort to flank the Legionnaires. This yielded little, as the survivors were panicked and simply did not follow through with the order. The column had little options other than simply sitting and waiting for air support to arrive.

The exchange was relentless, with the formation losing two of their APC's within half an hour of fighting due to S-13 rocket fire from enemy Hinds...in fact, the only reason as to why they hadn't lost more is simply because many of them were outfitted with 25mm AA systems. While it certainly wouldn't down such aircraft, it could absolutely ward them off. Reinforcements in the form of Su-22's from Nasser AFB arrived thankfully soon, running low fire missions above the rear of the enemy column with cluster bombs, hitting true. The perimeter held stiff simultaneously, the body count slowly rising by the minute. The duo of 22's banked to the left, attempting another pass with their dual NR-30 cannons, cutting a swath of red mist through the enemy lines. Though their runs were successful, the Republican Guard remained frantic in their relaying of coordinates, calling them ever closer to their own position as time progressed. Eventually, the remaining Legionnaires turned tail, deploying smoke and laying down a hailstorm of bullets to cover their retreat. Following this, the regime quickly took the time to evac the casualties by means of helicopter, reforming and advancing down the road with wider gaps between one another, so as to prevent getting hit in a cluster. The retreat of the Legionnaires was only temporary, however, as it was realized they were merely scouts; a much larger group awaited their arrival at the end of Highway 9, toward Aizdihar.

[Christoslavia]

7:00 Local Time
Outside Nitaq
General Ramer

The 3rd and 4th Companies as well as the 7th Motorized Brigade had returned with mild casualties, 15 soldiers and 4 tanks. It wasn't a terrible dent considering the hundreds of troops and dozens of tanks and APC's he had at his disposal. After continuous shelling for almost two days straight, the outer defenses were crippled and it was time to move up.
"I want infantry up first to clear the way, tanks to follow behind and destroy heavy defenses. Air strikes will be called in 10 minutes to deal with the tougher defenses. Make me proud soldiers."

3rd Company
SSgt. Jones

As soon as he had exited his APC he had to hit the deck, they had smashed through the outer trenches relatively easily but not too far beyond that and all of the sudden small arms fire was coming from every which way. Jets were making constant cluster bombing runs against the inner city defenses and enemy Anti Armor placements but the Legionnaire and Kalinin infantry was getting beyond frustrating. Suppressing fire with his MG allowed his squad to move up, one grenade in a bunker, a few screams, some bullets down a trench, it was like clockwork. Ironically very hectic clockwork. They moved inch by inch through the South sector while other units would surround the city and take the East, West, and North.
It devolved into building to building fighting, one office building saw 4 Legionnaires holed up with RPG's and they killed twelve Christoslavians before we finally broke down the door and put a bullet in each of them. Casualties were high but it was assumed they were suffering more than us.
"Tank column moving up, suppressing fire on infantry!". That was our cue, we moved up slowly between buildings, clearing traps and soldiers. Jones knew this wasn't going to be easy, this was going to be Hell.

[Murovanka]

Sidi al-Musari
Northern Zevriti
Junud al-Kabaab HQ

Having consolidated and reinforced their hold on the seized territories in northern Zevriti, with the al-Kabaab leadership in Ummayah sending further reinforcements and civilian administrators down, Sirdar Abdullah had decided on the next move. It seemed as though the government had barely taken note of their presence, which was all the better for the al-Kabaab, and they'd hardly faced any serious counterattacks on their positions so far. Already, Sharia law was being instituted in the newly conquered areas, people registered, tax collected as the experienced al-Kabaab bureaucrats ran their place like any national entity. In an Islamic form, as mandated by God, of course.

The next phase of the al-Kabaab offensive into Zevriti was codenamed "Operation Ziyad", after the famous general of the Prophet. It was divided into two compnents. The first would strike south-east in the direction toward Saqqaf International Airport where fighting had ground to a stalemate; the goal was to seize and hold Hill 34, a strategically well positioned hill overlooking the main highway running from Wahdabad to the airport. This task force composed of three hundred men and was particularly engineer-heavy; important components of their strategy was the laying of IEDs, suicide bombers and traps after all. It was the smaller force as it was also meant to act as a diversion for what was the main attack.

This one would march straight onto the capital, Wahdabad, and cripple the socialist regime's efforts. It itself had 800 troops, excluding a further reinforced company lying in reserve in the occupied areas, and came along with armor and fire support units.

To the Young Martyrs
We are launching Operation Ziyad in the following days, which will consist of a two-pronged attack on the Wahdabad-Saqqaf Highway and on the capital itself. While we are not going to speculate on the chance of success of the operation, we hope that this will turn the tide in our favor, let us gain momentum to allow us to overrun the rest of the communist heathens. To this end we hope that you can simultaneously coordinate a similar offensive so that we are pressuring the regime and its infidel allies from all fronts.

- Sirdar Abdullah,
Commander of Janub al-Farad al-Zevriti

Hill 34
Wahdabad-Saqqaf Highway

It had gone initally quite well. The militants had by morning established themselves on Hill 34, the engineers quickly going to work- laying minefields of IEDs, preparing defensive positions and setting up the roadblock on the highway itself. A full ring of positions were prepared by the troops as they expected to come under siege and to that end, they were ordered to hold out for as long as they could until either the last man had fallen or they were relieved. As such, they had come with provisions allowing them to survive without resupply for several weeks.

It was an excellent position. From the elevated plateau they could, even if the roadblock was lost, fire on any logistics convoy that came along and make resupply impossible for the enemy. The ragged, at some places extremely steep slopes prevented armour from simply overrunning them- by nature they, as guerrilla fighters, had problems dealing with armour and facing an enemy in a conventional battle, though they had proven themselves capable of doing so too. Not that it was in any way easy.

Meanwhile, the advance was full-on to the west as the al-Kabaab force swept toward the capital. Fully motorised, this allowed the al-Kabaab forces to cover the large distances of the desert quickly and maneuver in assistance of each other; for cross-desert movement, camels were also in use by local tribesmen who they'd hired. Oil was another thing, however. If the regime would have problems with supplying their forces, the al-Kabaab's logistical difficulties could be multiplied by factors of a dozen. Much of it had to come all the way from Ummayah, where al-Kabaab ran their oil fields and refineries (sometimes right under the nose of the governmnet). That meant crossing hundreds of kilometers of desert- a nightmare.

[-Abdulistan-]

Abduli soldiers march off the tarmac as the planes move in to allow more aircraft to land. A Abduli People's Air Force helicopter is seen in the background.

Nasser AFB
Jaf Region
Zevriti Social Republic

---

"It is very nice to see you, general." said the Colonel. "Now, may I ask, where are we most needed?" he asked. "Abdulistani High Command is contemplating on joining the push against the Jihadists or staying to defend Nasser AFB, though we were asked to consult you." said the colonel as he looked out to the Abdulistani soldiers lining up for inspection.

VT-4 tanks, APCs and lightly armored vehicles rolled off the tarmac to make way for more arriving aircraft. The 2,000 soldiers of the 7th Red Guards regiment patiently waited for further orders.

Even if they would not be sent on the offensive, the soldiers of the 7th knew that they would get engaged in combat, either by being deployed to the front lines or... god forbid, the Jihadists attack Nasser AFB.

The Young Martyrs and the Junud al-Kabaab have been gaining more and more land from the Social Republic. Saqqaf International Airport had became a battleground, while defenses were prepared at Nasser AFB. They could not let their guard down, and they must be ready for combat at all times.

[Zevretin]

(OOC: I apologize for the short post, I will be making a much longer one once I'm home from school, addressing all the current fronts)




Saqqaf International two days after fighting. Following a massive artillery strike by an unknown belligerent, both regime and rebel forces have withdrawn from the area, the facility utterly useless due to the damage. It has yet to be claimed by any side.

[Christoslavia]

Cpl. Karn Hern

Hern had been walking for hours on end, not an hour ago he had run out of water, and the day just seemed to be getting hotter, as we was passing Highway 9 he heard the sounds of combat, bullets and shells and explosives. Maybe the regime had managed to feel Saqqaf but got pinned down on the way out, he really didn't want to find out and besides, was in no condition to help. He continued to trudge along barely alive, drenched in sweat. "Fuck WHY IS IT SO HOT?!". He then realized what was the point of yelling if no one could hear him. He had dumped almost all his gear about 5 miles back save for his sidearm to avoid dying of heat stroke but it seemed utterly pointless at this point. "God, just let me fucking die". As he collapsed to his knees in the sand, he saw...something...something in the distance. "Wait..wha-no..YES!"

Nasser AFB was just in the distance, with what energy he had left he somehow walked for the next 3 miles across dunes until he reached the main gate. Abdulistani guards put their rifles to him but he couldn't even put his hands up before collapsing of exhaustion.

[Zevretin]

NASSER AFB, JAF GOVERNORATE

Once General Bashar realized his counterpart from Abdulistan was not much for pleasantries, he was quick to update him on the state of the conflict.

"Right. While we are tied down at both the Aizdihar and Manar fronts, the Nitaq front has largely been won- the fighting at Saqqaf International resulted in heavy losses for the jihadists, along with their allies from Cesopium, and all for nothing too." Bashar snickered. "Colonel Sayegh had the runway scuttled and the rest of the complex obliterated by Christoslavian artillery, which effectively eliminates any strategic value of a push westward from Nitaq city respectively. Forces in that area are being rallied and told to dig trench lines, so I have confidence in our abilities to defend that section." As he spoke, he gestured a desk jockey to his side with a cup of coffee, accepting it.

"Truth be told, it's the Cesopiumians who are changing the game here. The Young Martyrs have been severely weakened in the past several weeks, and they no longer spearhead any assaults into our positions. It's those damned Legionnaires." He took a sip of his coffee, sighing with pleasure. "Now- we've received reports from the northwest that these Junud al-Kabaab characters are overwhelming our outposts leading into old Wahdabad, meaning they likely have the intention of assaulting the capital at some point. They may very well be mindless fanatics, but their organization has lasted for quite a long time, so I expect that they truly believe they have the manpower to seize it. That's not good. If we lose the capital, we lose the war. It's too damn important. You have to understand that's where the Republican Guard and practically all of their equipment are headquartered, so if we were to lose the city, we'd have lost millions of dollars in fine shit. I don't know about you, but I'd like to avoid losing fine shit if at all possible." He nodded to himself as he took another sip of his coffee, spinning on his heel. "If you'll follow me to the war room."

The group snaked their way through crowded, dimly lit corridors within the main building of the airbase, before at last ducking into a room filled with the artificial glow of computer screens and projectors. The General refilled his mug, and turned toward a projection of Zevretin in its entirety. He began to circle various points he had mentioned in the progression of the conflict, and then proceeded to advise the Colonel in the movements of his troops westward.

"Now, I know that your men came here to fight...and they will certainly do so, just not the enemy they were expecting. Junud al-Kabaab is unique in their strategy, and a whole lot smarter than their new friends in Jaf. They're guerrilla fighters, opportunists- I imagine they'll do everything they can to postpone your arrival at Wahdabad. With that said, I'm aware that Abdulistan is significantly more experienced in the ways of war, so I leave that approach to you. However, I must reiterate, reinforcing the regime at Wahdabad is absolutely vital to this war. It simply must be done, and I don't have the men to spare. Find those terrorists, root them out, and destroy them." Bashar nodded to the Abdulistani Colonel and his accompanying senior officers before strutting out.

[Christoslavia]

Christoslavian troops moving up through Nitaq


Christoslavian Armor during the assault


Christoslavian Special Forces: Force Reconaissance soldiers in the heart of Nitaq

[Heldoria]

(OCC: Apologies I have been sick and busy with school. Currently reading through posts to make my next move.)

1435 HOURS, AIZIHADR HELDORIAN COMMAND CENTER

Colonel Lauffage leaned over the table, his cigarette hanging loosely as it burnt it`s self out, he was watching the paper map being updated. Two days ago 6th Cohort was utterly decimated, leaving Terico VII massively under strength. His only recourse it to redistribute the support elements and survivors to the existing Cohorts, he took his cigarette and threw it to the sand floor.

"Sitrep?" He asked bitterly.

"Nitaq seems to be holding sir, they have lost most of their defensive."

"Damn... get me a channel with the Cesopium forces. Redistribute 6th Cohort`s support elements to 2nd Cohort, surviving 6th Cohort goes to 3rd Cohort to help make up for the lost Hall. Recon Section will engage in direction action with 3rd Cohort. Contact Command, Tell them we might need to bring 1st Cohort in country."