The African Insurgency (Democritus ONLY)

[Zackaroth]

Over the past several weeks and days, a new terrorist organization the ALM has risen in Africa. Brought up by perceived Western Expansionism and resource stealing, the ALM has launched a massive insurgency on the entire continent. As the Western Powers deal with their own problems at home, an already war weary world prepares for yet another clash. Compounding the problem is the potential fall of Africa's largest nation, Askkum. When the dust settles after this war, nothing will be the same...


OOC:
Normal Democritus rules apply.
No godmodding
Democritus only
Keep all OOC to a minimum

[The 500AD RP Admin]

Ali Kateb directs action in Mogadishu

From a safe-house in Somalia, Ali Kateb has personally taken over command of insurgent activities in Mogadishu. He has recently broad-cast a message to the people of Somalia;

TO THE MARTYRS OF MOGADISHU AND THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF SOMALIA, DEFEND YOUR HOMES FROM THE EUROPEAN INVADERS!

After the arrival of Calindelo forces fierce street fighting began. So far the ALM have begun escalation of conflict, and have begun bringing heavy weapons into the city. The Fregantes have also sent troops, however Kateb made sure that they suffered dearly. As the Fregantes ship neared the harbour Kateb's forces located nearby fired multiple Hellfire rockets in their possession at the oncoming craft, doing critical damage to both the engines and command centre. The ALM then launched numerous mortar attacks on the Mogadishu Harbour, with multiple witnesses attesting at least half-a-dozen shells landed directly on the ship.



Local men have volunteered as Gendarmes militia for the ALM in the city. Pictured here is Militia Corporal. Mohamad Al-Fassim, accredited with seven confirmed kills on Calindelo soldiers.

The ALM have brought an additional 800 men into the city, and have stepped up efforts to surround the Europeans. Kateb has issued an ultimatum; Surrender your remaining weapons and vehicles and leave the country, or be slaughtered.



The East-side of the city facing the Somali-countryside has been completely over-run by the ALM. Pictured here is ALM Pvt. Robert Mafusa, leading civilians to an ALM water-distribution point.

[Zackaroth]

The assault beings.

In Zackaroth's brief history as nation it had found out two things. One: When attacking putting down an insurgency, Western Powers usually held back and never finished the job fully. Even in Europe, the current crisis in Eastern Europe was proof of that. Two: Waging war with your own homeland close by made things a hell of a lot easier as they learned in the Orostan war. Instead of taking weeks or days, the trip to Somalia would take hours. It also meant the insurgents where within missle range if Zackaroth needed such weapons. Right now though, the battle was in the streets or even in the sky. No, it was over the airwaves.

Somalia had always been a tenuous part of Askkum and while Askkum and Zackarothian citizens enjoyed an open border and plenty of job opportunities, Somalai had always seem to be stuck. It was the part of Askkum no one ever really talked about. Or wanted too. Even so, Zackaroth had helped Askkum rebuild infrastructure after its last civil war and that meant TV and radio stations. Normally in a war against insurgents, cyber war meant shit. There where no reactors to shut down or trains to derail. But the ALM had gained controlled of the radios. Radios built by Zackaroth. Thus, the ZCWD(Zackarothian Cyber War Division) was hard at work. Radio stations that the ALM had went hard with static and within a few hours they where repeating a single message that looped endlessly. "The Army of Zackaroth is coming. All citizens should surrender peacefully. Those who do not will be put down with the rest" Not exactly hearts and minds. But Zackaroth never won a war with hearts and minds. Fear and the prospect it may use the war as the test bed for its newest terrible weapon was the tactic they used.

Thus, this lead to the ongoing Battle of Mogadishu. Outside of range of any effective attack but still within view if one had binoculars or squinted hard enough, was a Zackarothian fleet just watching the slaughter. Three battleships and two carriers waited in the waters, not lifting a finger to help the Europeans. It was a stark reminder to both sides, that Zackaroth was burned after what happened during the Orostan war and to the ALM, a warning sign that if they won the day, Round 2 would begin shortly.

[Calindelo]

1400 Hours, Mogadishu



It has been a full day of fighting. Morale is dropping from the African heat, Casualties are high, and are running out of equipment.

A simple quick amphibious assault has been turned into a full long siege. Many have been killed by terrorists acting as civilians. A rule has been made, "Don't trust civilians."

The General of the 2nd Temp. Battalion have already seen the Zackarothian fleet, and have tried to communicate with using flares and radio communication, but until now, there are still no response. The General has sent a squad to the fleet, hopefully saving the whole batallion.

Many of the remaining forces have considered surrendering, but many more defy to surrender, justificating that surrendering will only lead to a slow painful death by the African Liberation Militia.

The Battalion has one last offensive, at nightfall, they will use stealth to hopefully decrease the number of AML forces quietly.

[Greater Persian State]

The Persian Lion Strikes
The Aircraft Carrier the Cyrus had moved through the Strait of Hormuz along with a destroyer escort and submarine and missile cruiser support. Intend on crushing the terrorist insurgency in Somalia, they moved in in great force, to crush the parasitical terrorist forces. Terrorism would not be allowed on the Horn of Africa under Persia's watch. The attack began.

PART 1 (The Missiles):

On the decks of the cruisers and under the waves, the missiles were prepared, they were targeted at the terrorist strongholds in and around the Somalian capital. The imposing Naval squadron, each one waving the Persian Naval Ensign waited serenely for everything to be confirmed. All was quiet and serene. The faint noises of artillery and explosions could be heard inland, but for the most part, everything was calm. Then the calm was all disrupted. From the depths of the sea and from the decks of the cruisers, 60 Cruise missiles shot into the sky. Each one moving straight up into the sky with equal precision. After heading into the sky the sailors could see the faint light begin to arc downwards, becoming more clear as they lit up the sky. The terrorists in the city could see it, and it was unstoppable. They disappeared into the skyline, faint lights visible from the decks of the ships. But it was not over.
PART 2 (The Planes):

From the deck of the Cyrus Mig-29s were launched, 12 in total in strict formation. They soared towards the coast at high speed, lowering altitude they targeted terrorist defenses keeping the counter-insurgency forces out. Delivering Air-to-ground missiles, they dropped their munitions and turned around, returning to their ships. The Persian Lion had lashed out with it's mighty claw. But the Lion of Persia had not yet finished with the terrorist rats.
PART 3 (The Guns):

The Destroyers now took priority, facing broadside to the terrorist rats, they prepared their most powerful and long-ranged guns and prepared to kill the scum the old way, with a cannon. With the shout of an officer, they cannons fired, each one firing after the other next to it. The shells soared toward the city defenses. The shells soared over the ocean, then reaching the coast and giving the terrorists another present.

Long live Persia! Was the cry of every sailor, Arab or Iranian. The Persian Lion now rested, the ships just waiting off the coast of the city, out of range of any anti-ship capabilities the scum might have.

[The 500AD RP Admin]

Mogadishu Burns

Section Commander Kinte looked over the scene of Mogadishu; the rattle of machine-gun fire, the occasional explosion. Standing atop Section Command Charlie, one of six command points in the city he saw the cruise missiles fire. One missile into Mogadishu international hotel, inside was the command of Delta Section. Five dozen deaths, he imagined. Dozens more civilians. Again, great explosion after explosion. Of the six, three were now burning. The decoys set up were hit in their entirety, and numerous rooftops were hit in the Persians' attempt to strike at the ALM forces below.



Cruise missiles light up the skyline of Mogadishu.

All of this of course, during the night. The streets were chaos; the Calins had attempted to infiltrate the ALM positions, their attack did, for a time. Perhaps a dozen sentries fell, and then the first cruise missile hit the tower of a nearby Mosque, illuminating all below. Immediately the cry went out ''ATTACK, ATTACK!''. Tracer rounds lit up the streets as both sides attempted to overwhelm each other, dozens of firefights scorching. But it was in this terror that hundreds died. Protestors and Militiamen ran wild through the streets, veins coursing with hatred for their European foes. Dozens of Calins died not as lions fighting, but as children cowering in the alleys and corners of Mogadishu.



Militia. Private Malik Fussam, pictured here guarding a check-point on the North-side of the city.



ALM militia continue to drive Calin hold-outs throughout the city. So far the ALM has secured one lightly damaged UH-6 Black-Hawk helicopter, and has removed it from the city. Among the other weapons captured so far have been numerous communications devices, which have been moved to an undisclosed ALM strong-hold far from Somalia.

The morning was marked by the sounds of trucks. The ALM were pulling out the remainder of the 800 reinforcements they had sent in. One remained, albeit depleted, but bolstered yet by thousands of volunteers and militiamen. On the morning, Ali Kateb himself spoke, and for a brief fifteen minutes the broadcast rang out loud and clear from the radio;

The Europeans have been driven out. The ALM declares that the People's Republic of Mogadishu has been born. The revolution will continue!

[Greater Persian State]

OOC: All my attacks hit decoys?
That is preposterous

[Greater Persian State]

Hell from the Sky
The Cyrus was dormant no longer. Like bees, no more fierce, like FLYING LIONS, 25 Jets flew from the ship, two by two they hovered above the ship while they got in formation, they flew high above the city, beyond any MANPAD they soared at extreme speed and found the long convoy of trucks trailing through the desert, from high in the sky it would be a difficult shot, but they could still hit them. From high above the clouds, so close to the grace of Allah and of heaven, they cursed down hell upon the terrorist swine. Feeling especially religious so close to the heavens, Sunnis and Shi'as alike shouted "Allahu Akbar!" over the radio and "God bless Persia!" as they dropped LBGs and Air-to-ground missiles down upon the convoy. The planes headed back to the carrier in strict formation.

[Calindelo]

Sole Survivors


EGWRC Krzyżować Squad, December, Austrian Mountains.

A few hours after the Persian bombs have been dropped on Mogadishu, only one squad is left, Krzyżować Squad. They were forced to leave via civilian fishing raft, and approached the nearest Persian battleship.

The engine of the fishing ship suddenly stopped and unable to restart, one of the squad members fired a flare into the sky, grabbing the attention of the Persians. A military raft carrying 3 armed forces arrived at the fishing ship and aimed at the Squad, asking who they are, The squad told them that they are in Mogadishu from Operation Obrońcy, in the 2nd Temporary battalion.

The Persian soldiers looked at each other, and the squad just was wishing that they can go aboard and go home.

[Lusophone]

ABC News Lusophone Translated from original Portuguese to English

---

May 7th, 2017 | George Stephanopoulos, ABC News

"They are welcome here." said Prime Minister Antonio Costa, during his interview with George Stephanopoulos on ABC News' Bom dia lusófono (Good Morning Lusophone) program. In this 30 minute special interview, ABC Correspondent George Stephanopoulos talked with the Prime Minister about his possible presidential run, his take on domestic issues, and on international issues. "Going international, is the second phase of the President's agenda. We're now working towards a global Lusophone. The reason Western Powers have thrived is because they've worked together as a region, and as a community. That's what the President is doing now, as he visits French Indochina, and has requested meetings with the Japanese and Malay leadership." said the Prime Minister. "--And would a President Costa continue that agenda?" asked George. "Certainly, certainly. I haven't made a full decision yet, if I will run, but I do believe in what the President is doing. And when our party [Partido Progressista] has a majority in both the Senate and in the National Assembly, it tells you the whole nation wants to go global." said Costa.


PM Costa walks with George Stephanopoulos at the garden of his official residence.

"But that's only barely true. I mean-- Os Conservadores (The Conservatives) are really just a few numbers short of your party, not to mention [Sarah] Palveiro's sizable number in both the Senate and in the National Assembly." rebutted George. "Let's not forget. Sarah Palveiro is the brother of the extremist and racist Donald Trunfo. She may be a different person, but all she's done to the Frente Nacional (National Front) is rebranded their image, and used softer words to outline their protectionist policies." said the Prime Minister. Later on in the interview, George and the Prime Minister started talking about international issues, and George asked the Prime Minister on his take about the Crisis in Africa. "We know you stand behind the President's 'going global' agenda, but what's your take, as an individual, on the crisis in Africa?" asked George. "Well, certainly we can't deny that it is horrible what is happening in Africa. That's why I was just on the phone with the President an hour ago, discussing our approach. We've decided that we will welcome mothers and children, innocent victims who never asked for these atrocities. President Sousa's government is willing to accept at least 3,680 refugees. We've also sent an entire task force to help." said the Prime Minister.

The task force, the Prime Minister is referring to is Operação Sereia (Operation Mermaid). The operation consists of units from both the Lusophine Navy and Lusophine Air Force. The deployed assets include: 1 amphibious assault carrier with medical and shelter facilities for the would-be refugees; 1–2 frigates; 2 patrol vessels/ corvettes with medical care; a Marine Brigade team in charge of vessels inspections and the safety of refugees on board; coastal radar network and automatic identification system shore stations; The air units involved helicopters: one MM P180 aircraft equipped with FLIR, two Camcopter S-100 unmanned aerial vehicles on board a amphibious transport dock ship and two maritime patrol aircraft; and a patrol vessel to assist in general surveillance of waters. According to Interior Minister, the government is spending about $142 million on Operação Sereia.

Almost two hours however, after the Prime Minister's interview with ABC News aired, Sarah Palveiro, who polls at 18% for the elections, held a rally in front of 5,000 supporters at Avenida da Liberdade, a suburban area of Lisbon, which is a stronghold city of the Frente Nacional (National Front). In her speech, she talked about how Lusophone cannot sustain accepting the "poverty of the world". She said "Half of the world's population lives in places of war. Does [Prime Minister] Costa suggest we accept them all? We will be submerged!" She even used a strange analogy: "Tolerance? What does that mean? I am a very tolerant and hospitable person, like you. Would you accept 12 illegal immigrants moving into your flat? You would not! On top of that, they start to remove the wallpaper! Some of them would steal your wallet and brutalise your wife. You would not accept that! Consequently, we are hospitable, but we decide with whom we want to be." she said. Palveiro refused to call the would-be refugees, refugees. She insisted that they are "economic migrants".

She also discussed the Muslim population in Africa, and how there are 5 million Muslims alone in Lusophone. "The progressive Islamisation of our country and the increase in political-religious demands are calling into question the survival of our civilisation." she said. Palveiro is in favor of strict pro-Catholic secularism, and is also in favor of banning religious symbols of those of Islam and Judaism. She however, said that it is "not racist." She discussed how Catholicism has been a "cultural and integral part of the Lusophone civilization." Palveiro, who also said "There are churches hundreds of years old in Lusophone. And there are extremist Mosques that are three years old. Do you suggest we tear down our heritage?" said that she will officially announce her candidacy for the presidency very soon.

The current incumbent, President Sousa, is currently in French Indochina (New Metropolitan France) and intends to discuss international relations and cooperation within the Southeast-Asia region.

If any nation would like to send their refugees to Lusophone, please telegram me and specify how many. I will only accept a total of 3,680.

[The 500AD RP Admin]

Ali Kateb declares ' Mogadishu Republic' will spread

Announcing to a crowd in South-side Mogadishu, in a spot un-touched by combat, Ali Kateb announced the 'Mogadishu Republic' will become the revolutionary building block of 'Gran Africana', a vision for a unified sub-saharan Africa.

At the same time, dozens of villages through the South and coastal regions have begun falling to the ALM as roughly 4,000 fighters move through the country. Ali Kateb has utilised one of the captured Black Hawks as a method of quickly travelling to and from destinations to disseminate propaganda and coordinate the war. The ALM are readily utilising volunteers to readily occupy captured villages.



ALM Volunteer Militiamen advancing on a nearby village.

In Mogadishu the ALM have declared unilateral independence, with the new People's Republic of Mogadishu the ALM has created a political wing, the African Revolutionary Front, lead by Jonas Serevimbi as Party Chairman and Ali Kateb as President. In Mogadishu the ALM have begun rebuilding, however the city is becoming heavily militarised with hundreds being members of the resident Mogadishu Militia Force, numbering in the low thousands. These men are the backbone of ALM forces in the city, monitored by only several hundred dedicated ALM fighters.



African Guard sighed in Ethiopia

In the Ethiopian region of Ogaden the ALM African Guard were seen near villages on the Somali border. The ALMAG carried out an assault on a government air-field. The ALMAG surrounded the airfield and began a barrage of un-guided rockets fired from their APCs and Armoured Cars. Towed artillery began to fire as the ALMAG's armour moved up, firing heavy-machine guns at checkpoints and towers. The airfield was captured after 0440 hours, with the ALMAG planting significant amounts of explosives, destroying the runway entirely. The ALMAG then quickly retreated, having suffered four dozen casualties and roughly the same injured. One BTR-70 was destroyed by enemy HMG fire, and an Eland-90 suffered an engine failure and had to be towed.

After the attack the ALM secured and removed all heavy weapons from the base, as well as two Little-Bird style helicopters.



An ALMAG Eland-90 firing at the airport's command party.

[Zackaroth]

Target: Berbera and Adale

Zackaroth's normal routine would have been to take Mogadishu but after watching the massacre that had happened and the arrival of the Persians, they realized that attack would have to wait. Unlike Damascus, Zackaroth couldn't just level the city into submission. Sure it was clustered but the it was massive. Most they would do is utterly destroy the city center and send ALM scurrying like annoying rats to the other corners of the city. Weeks of prolonged fighting. Long weeks. Thus the tatic changed. The carrier group by the city was moving back But they weren't going back to Zackaroth. They had a new target in mind. The village of Adale

Adale was a small, ramshack city, miles away from Mogadishu, but it would do. It had no man made port but was close enough to the beach, someone could beach a boat and walk right into the city. But the small fleet wouldn't make the same mistakes Westerners did. Get too close and any ALM asshole with a firework could damage a ship and cause months worth of repairs. And a sea assault could end disastrously if they sent troops directly towards the city. Instead, a flotilla of troop transport ships where shipped out and headed towards the big empty stretch of beach that lay east of the town. It was wide open and had no rocky craigs. This was both good and bad. Good, because Zackarothian troops could see any attempted counter attempt. Bad, because artillery strikes from within the city had a clear shot and could do some damage. That's why Zackaroth only had a few ships make the first initial landing. 250, troops in all would land and essentially be living decoys to throw them against or see any possible enemy defense. If they did get attacked by men or artillery, the airships waiting for the go single on the deck of the carrier would begin to take off and launch an air offense. bombing the small city into dust before one could say "Duck!"

On the other side of the rapidly collapsing country, A much larger Zackarothian force was assembling off the shores of the Port City of Berbera.Berbera was an important port city on the Northern Coast of Somalia. It was one of the few that had a man made port as well as an airport near by. Much like Adale, it was going to be used as a launchpad into the wider country. Berbera was not as small as Adale but nowhere near as cluttered as Mogadishu. It was the perfect size for a bombing run. There was no reason to send out troops just yet. Instead, stealth recon drones flew over the city in both early morning and late at night, scanning the city for any potential hostiles. Looking for armed men, convoys coming in or recently converted buildings, Zackaroth was deciding whether or not bombing the city was worth it or just sending troops in to force the populace to comply

[The 500AD RP Admin]

ALM and Zackaroth troops clash in Adale

In the Somalian town of Adale an ALM Platoon came into combat with Zackarothian troops trying to enter the city. The Zackarothian troops approached the town on foot. As they entered the outskirts of the suburbs they were fired upon by automatic machine-gun fire rattled along the nearby ground, inflicting several deaths and many injuries upon the Zackarothians. As the militia mobilized the surrounding suburb lit up with numerous targets, each one equipped with some weapon scrounged up from a nearby ALM weapons cache. The ALM then launched a counter-attack and dozens of well-armed soldiers appeared down the main street of the time, firing a DhSKm HMG from the back of a Toyota. The ALM suffered numerous casualties as the well-armed Zackarothians went man-for-man with the ALM, using their superior weapons as a counter-balance to the lack of training but guerrilla expertise of the ALM.



Upon repulsing the Zackarothian attack, the ALM dispatched the town's dedicated ALM soldiers to the North, mustering for an assault on Dhusamareb, with rumours that the ALMAG with fight in the battle.



ALM forces moving out of the town after the Zackaroth attack was repulsed.

[The 500AD RP Admin]

An announcement from Ali Kateb

*Chuckle* You whites do not understand; you cannot and will not defeat the will of Africa. As we speak, the shadow of your civilisation falls away as the revolution spreads. Every martyr, armed and unarmed only makes the din of our battlecry all the louder. *Kateb would look away from the camera, instead focusing on the open door of a command point over-looking a road. On the road would be images of ALM forces rolling by on assorted vehicles. Brief shots of armoured personelle carriers can be seen, as well as many towed peices of equipment. The noise makes it evident that this is a large operation* Remember, the ALM and the African Revolutionary Front follow the words of the prophet. It takes a brave man to fight his enemies, it takes one of even more courage to forgive them. Leave Africa and your men can still live another day.

As the video made the rounds, reports came of a huge ALM assault in Kenya, as ALM forces numbering an estimated 2,000 over-ran Mombasa, accompanied by numerous waves of protesters with Pro-Fascist and Pro-ALM sentiment. The ALM has rapidly made gains across the Kenyan Coast, extending the zone of control of the nascent Mogadishu Republic. Dozens of accounts have also emerged of the ALM utilising captured Little-birds to drop barrel bombs containing up to 600lb of explosive ordnance. Reports indicate these craft are used to attack remote and isolated government outposts and checkpoints.



The infamous ''Kateb Battalion, Delta Company'', famed for their fighting spirit and morale.



The ALM have also come to an agreement with the Kenyan Maasai militant groups, and have commandeered Maasai tribe efforts, coordinating them against the government.

[The 500AD RP Admin]

ALM forces surround Dhusamareb

This is Big Brian, entering the air now.

Rodger that Big Brian, God bless.

It was obvious for many days that Dhusamareb was ready to fall. Thousands had already fled to the nearby country-side, even more had begun barricading themselves in their homes. At approximately five in the morning, as the first beams of crimson sun pierced the horizon the buzz of helicopters were heard. The two ALM Black Hawks captured in Mogadishu made their appearance. Plastered with revolutionary symbols and bearing in bold painted print ''BIG BRIAN'' and ''PRETTY SARAH''.

At once, the two dropped their pay-load. Big Brian targeted the government reservist base, dropping a 5000lb improvised 'Barrack Buster Mk. I' barrel bomb. As the flames licked the buildings, the silhouettes of soldiers running by made themselves clear, and as Big Brian peeled away he let off a barrage of 70mm unguided rockets at the base, inflicting dozens of casualties with heavy use of shrapnel.



Big Brian and Pretty Sarah sustained numerous damages on their combat mission, but both were instrumental in disabling international and domestic defenses against the attack.

Pretty Sarah had the easier job. Hers was to go to the Dhusamareb International Airport. As she flew over the airport, she targeted the storage sheds and terminal buildings. From dozens of improvised hard-points she dropped hundreds of improvised bomblets, churning the steel of the sheds into pocked metal, shrapnel bomblets falling through and shredding the vehicles concealed within. The Terminal and control tower were hit by dozens of 40mm rockets from the make-shift rocket racks attached to Pretty Sarah. As both helicopters pulled out, with Big Brian in particular bearing quite a few bullet marks, their mission was complete. They had demonstrated the ALM now possessed air-power, and as the armoured personnel carriers of the ALMAG moved in to the South-side ghettos of Dhusamareb, with cheering crowds at her side the ALM knew they were winning their war.



ALMAG convoys roll through Dhusamareb. The ALMAG have most recently been sighted in Dhusamareb Central Train Station, where they used white-phosphorous based incendiary grenades as well as tear gas.

[Zackaroth]

Adale

The Zackarothian force had manged to push the ALM out of the small city. 2,000 troops in all, with another force on the way. What civilans where left in the retreat,for lack of a better word, murdered and thrown into the fires that had sprung up after the bombing. Zackaroth had no time to play police force and they supported the ALM. If they let them go, they would just join the fight. Rubble was moved stragtically around the city, creating blockcades that would made it almost impossible for enemy armor to move through and soliders would have to traverse. Worse yet, Zackaroth was using their tactics against them, planting IEDs at entry points through out the city and in areas that would be deemed important to the ALM should they take it back. These where not your typical IEDS however. Stepping on or activating it would cause it to jump up in the air, exploding in vast array of deadly, hot shrapnel. Those closest would die and they would be lucky. Those who live would suffer an agonizing and slow death as the bullets bounced around inside, tearing them apart. Zackaroth held no illusions the ALM would let them keep a town.

That's why two more invasions postsioned themselves right outside a another small town called Gendershe and a much bigger city Merca. The ALM could capture all the land and cities it wanted but it needed people to defend those lands. They could waste time in trying to retake Adale, or go and protect these two cities, who laid closer to Mogadishu. Already, the cities where being struck by cruiser ship missiles and the occasional bombing run.

In the waters off the coast of Southern Somalia

Two submarines laid in wait for orders. They had waited there for several days, arriving just before the Zackarothian forces had. It was an all to similar scene.Zackaroth was going to make a mess of things again but its true effect wouldn't known until after the war was over. Somalia had two rivers that ensured its surivial. A country needed to eat and the nation had been blessed with two rivers that could be used to irrigate and create farmland. It was also a critical lifeline. Somalia though, always had trouble with famines and water sources, even while under Askkum rule. This was about to get worse.

In the dead of night, four missiles fired and flew over the country like a shooting star. Two aimed at the Jubb River and the other at the Shellbe river. When the missles began getting closer to land, they began to break apart, dropping out small bomblets that crashed into the water. Once they hit the water they began spraying a wet, brown gunk into the water. It was better not to know what it was but what was inside the disgusting fluid was a disease that had ravaged Africa many times before. Cholera.

Chlorea was not unheard of in Somalia. With barely any water filter systems the disease would sometime pop up. But this was different. This Cholera had been made in a lab. Breed to be super resistant to even the most powerful antibiotics, this disease would begin to infect both rivers the country depended on for food and water. Crops that drank in the water would become contaminated. People who drank from the water would become deathly ill in a matter of hours to a day. The rainy season was over for Somalia and with the hot season coming in, it was going to get very nasty.

[The 500AD RP Admin]

ALM Begin purchasing water from Tanzania

The first reports came in from the villages closest to the water source - a couple of ALM militiamen contracted the disease, and like wildfire travelling the gorse the information reached Kateb. Within minutes he had come to the conclusion that through biological or chemical means Zackaroth had contaminated the water supply, as they had in the past with other failed revolutions. Within the next few hours the water-lines to many important reservoirs were cut. The ALM could not exist without people, and people would need to know they could not exist without the ALM.

Within the day, a deal was reached. In return to access to their drinking water, the ALM would pay the Tanzanian government $3 to the gallon for drinking water. Through Mombasa to Mogadishu a chain of water convoys is developing, with hundreds, maybe thousands of private and ALM vehicles moving down. The Zackarothian tactic had the odd effect of furthering the progress of the Seige of Dhusamareb, as many defenders fell ill as supply lines in the city turned water into an ill-afforded luxury.

The ALM offers Somalia a choice: life by the ALM, or death by the foreigners. The ALM have in response to the Zackarothian tactic announced that the blood of those killed is on the hands of all those who fail to offer direct aid to the Mogadishu Republic, which now lays claim to the entirety of Somalia and Kenya. In response to the food crisis, the ALM has begun looting and hoarding canned and preserved foods in order to distribute them accordingly, but has also asked for international solidarity and aid.



Mombasa now distributes thousands of gallons a day. It is thought among African Revolutionary Front officials that Mombasa is responsible for providing water for nearly six million people.

ALM Launches Operation Voodoo Child

Days after the water crisis, Kateb announced the formation of the African Revolutionary Force, a militia wing for the ALM. Thousands of Somalis and Kenyans flock to the movement, as well as foreign volunteers from other African countries. These would be the occupying force the ALM needed; well-trained enough to use a gun, politically motivated and loyal to the ALM. As Dhusamareb fell, Kateb could see it. And it would begin by ending the insolence of the Arabs.

At 01000 in Berbera, an ALM sympathetic riot quickly turned violent when numerous ALM gunmen opened fire from within the crowd. As police and military elements began to focus on the developing fire-fight, which was eventually ended at Berbera's Library, where two dozen ALM men martyred themselves to allow three to fire crucial missiles at the ships of the Arabs. Within minutes, three rooftops lit up with smoke as the ALM began firing Hellfire anti-ship rockets.

The men then proceeded to destroy their own positions, taking their lives in the process. The ALM has many martyrs, but to die for the glory of the revolution is to die knowing that through your struggle peace will come.

At the same time the ALM burns its way North, conquering dozens of now virtually undefended towns and villages. After all, who would fight against their own saviours? In the developing Zackarothian enclaves the ALM has deployed a strategy of intermittent indirect bombardment. At random times throughout the day concealed ALM mortar positions will fire indiscriminately for only a minute-long window in order to avoid counter-battery or aerial intervention. These shells are directed at Zackarothian field bases, and it is hoped the effect of the random barrage will break the nerve of the Arab invaders.

[Virrgo]

Red Army Acts!
Due to recent conflict with world powers again fighting the encroachment of terrorism on sovereign land the Soviet Union again finds itself in a position to act and respond. Initially unaffected with the fighting going on within a continent so far away, Ivanov put his energy into weighing in on the current situation closer to his own home, Herpostan, but recent events have changed that. The ALM has continued to move within Eastern Africa stretching far enough to threaten the Soviet Union's only African ally within Tanzania. Ivanov upon hearing of the news weighed his options carefully and decided that as the only ally capable of projecting the Soviet Navy into the Indian Ocean, the stability of Tanzania was deemed an utmost priority.

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Within hours several ships of the Soviet Navy are called to deploy a fleet of transport ships carrying ammo, men, and equipment to be escorted by four destroyers and three SSN. They are expected to bring much needed equipment to bolster, Soviet and Tanzanian troops already currently within the area and to begin operations to push ALM control further up north.

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Operation: Sol
Due to ALM activities within Tanzania, mainly within the north of the country in order to acquire water, Soviet soldiers present have concluded that the best strategy overall will be to pull the ALM into an accelerated war of attrition. To partake in their part Soviets and Tanzanian troops numbering 40,000 have decided to begin Operation: Sol.
Expect everything I say past this point to be secret or as hidden as possible.

Utilizing a total force of 17,000 men, patrols are to be made along the B1, B141, B144, and B6 motor-ways. Further the city of Arusha is to be fortified as a observation center for the Northern forces. Military checkpoints along these motor-ways with 2-3 army patrols active at once and alternating. A further armored total of:
-30 tanks ( 17 T-80s, 13 T-90s)
-40 IFVs (BMP-2s)
-Other logistical vehicles.

To aid the ground forces, a section of the Soviet Airforce stationed with Tanzania will be deployed along the north. Comprising 20 MiG-29s, flights will be primarily used for observational screenings of roads leading into the country with details given orders to fire on suspected ALM convoys. A further 13 Mi-24s will comprising the role of troop transport and support during the operation.

[The 500AD RP Admin]

Ali Kateb comes up with water solution

The water crisis was one that troubled Kateb for many hours of the day; the Army could not fight without water, and the ALM could not sustain itself without civilians. Therefore he had to do something radical.

Using bureaucrats of the government regime who have been captured by the ALM the ALM will organise for non-contaminated sources of water to be secured and isolated by the ALM and for contaminated sources to be contained and slowly sterilised into safe drinking water via application of heat and chlorine, as well as filtering to remove sediment. It may not taste nice, but it will keep many people alive. The water plants have begun springing up, and Kateb has promoted efforts by ARF instructors to teach civilians how to run and maintain small-scale purifiers.

The water coming from Tanzania has become less important, and harder to come by. Soviet crackdowns have turned what was once a steady stream into a trickle. As work dries up for water caravaneers it springs up for water barons running large refineries. The ALM has used recovered profits from selling on Tanzanian water into a process of slowly decontaminating the water piping of Mogadishu and other important cities. Kateb has declared that;

No Republic born of war can ever survive if it cannot sit down and have a drink. The ALM and the people of Somalia have cooperated to begun the process of making safe drinking water available for all. The ALM has and will always have the needs of the people at heart.

The ALM begins deep operations in Kenya

Thika, less than 100km from Nairobi, today the scene of a skirmish as roughly a company of ALM militia, most likely from Maasai local groups attempted an attack on the outskirts of the city. The Kenyan Provincial Garrison fought back with sustained use of machine-gun fire. However skirmishes are becoming more frequent, and the ALM are becoming bolder. Soon, Thika, like many others, will fall to the ALM.

- Chilemba Mafisi, reporter for the newly established African Revolutionary Radio.

The ALM have begun concerted efforts to place pressure on the Kenyan provincial government, with ALM forces advancing from both the South-East and North-East. Many Maasai tribesmen armed by the ALM have also risen in the North-West, presenting a burden on the already over-stretched KPG. The ALM are estimated to have 4,000 dedicated ground troops, and as many militia-gendarmes.



ALM troops on the Tanzanian Frontier, where the ALM has placed numerous points-of-defence in the event of a Soviet incursion.

[Zackaroth]

Beraberb

The attack had not come in a wave, but rather a big protest. Monitoring the situation but giving no aid, the Zackarothian ships where surprised when three missiles where fired at their ships. However, probably not as surprised as many of the on lookers where when the missles exploded over the ocean, about midway before hitting the Arab ships. The new LaWS systems had finally be implented, a new laser defense system created in a join project between Zackaroth, France and Israel. These automated machines where used to destroy small boat craft and small arms fire such as the missiles launched from the city. The ALM maytrs had died for nothing. Within minutes Zackarothian troops arrived in numbers, taking control on the riot that broke out with deadly results. People who stayed out the way where generally safe, while those who began to close in on Zackarothian postions where not so lucky. Rocks, bottles and small arms fire meant nothing when Zackarothian troops began to open fire, purposely causing a stampede of people. They almost herded them like wolves for a pack of deer, forcing them to go down narrower and narrower streets until they either got stuck, began stepping all over one another or took a bullet. In all, 15,000 troops where moving into the city.

Adale

In Adale a different situation was playing out, with Zackarothian troops preparing for another siege. Random spats of mortar bombings had afflicted the city but they where not as effective as the ALM thought. It did prevent the jets from bombing their postions but not another bird in the sky. Attack drones flew high above the ground, a speck in the sky. Using infrared and heat vision, they easily found the positions of the mortar strikers, raining hell upon them once they fired. During all of this, 20,000 Zackarothian troops had pushed into Adale and now where turning it into a fortress. With how flat the land was and little shrubbery in the way, any attack could be seen coming by either in space by the satellite positioned over the area or by sight alone.

[Puertollano]

With the news of mass dehydration in the declared Mogadishu Republic, ruled by revolutionary leader Ali Kateb, there was many protests within Puertollano to send foreign aid to help save the lives of innocent African civilians. Puertollano had notified the ALM and the surrounding belligerent nations of this their aircraft flying through the airspace. Puertollanoan cargo planes set off from Galicia to later arrive over the designated airspace over Mogadishu. Aid supplies were parachuted down from the planes, including large water canteens, crates of non-perishable food items and plenty of medical supplies that would help in combatting the recent biological attacks from Zackaroth. As well as the particular medicine, there were medical supplies to help with bullet, shrapnel and explosives injuries. These crates would mostly land in population-dense areas, however some parachutes also swayed towards ALM fighting grounds and barracks. Puertollano has also sent this highly classified message to the Mogadishu Republic leadership, but more importantly to Ali Kateb:

HIGHLY CLASSIFIED.

Greeting, Ali Kateb,

We wish to communicate to you regarding the recent biological attack that Zackaroth has lead upon the African people. In Puertollano we distinctly remember such an attack like this from Zackaroth too, but in our scenario many nations came to our aid to prevent the illness from multiplying. Puertollano is willing to fight alongside the Mogadishu Republic to put an end to the long reign of Zackaroths imperialism. This, however, can only be done if you formally apologise for the death of our six civilians by terrorist bombers, claiming to be under your allegiance. Along with that, you will send reparations to the families dead. So long as you are sincere and can convince the Puertollanoan public you are not terrorist savages, we can ally ourselves with you to see the end of Middle Eastern forces in Africa. If you were to do this, we will be quick to assemble teams of medical professionals and scientists to quickly put an end to this virus.

From the The Puertollanoan High General.

[The 500AD RP Admin]

ALM East Africa Command, located somewhere Great Rift Valley

Kateb lowered the cigarette from his lips, exhaling sharply as he looked over the message from Puertollano. He would allow no one but his most trusted cadre to see it, using the excuse that it was 'sensitive information crucial to the war effort' to keep it on an extremely need-to-know basis. What Puertollano asked was reasonable, and their efforts in providing relief for the populace had been a great boon for the ALM, and for Kateb in particular, legitimising his doctrine of the seeking diplomacy when a threat that cannot be conquered by a Kalashnikov is met. However he could not go public in decrying the use of suicide bombings against Puertollano. He instead spoke privately to his secretary, ''Remove these names from our list of Martyred fighters.'', sliding a piece of paper with the names of the bombers written on it.

Kateb was prepared to apologise, and in secret dispatched for a trusted friend to travel to Puertollano to negotiate his condition with their government, but he could not while radical elements of the movement still held sway over large parts of the armed militias. Kateb would start slowly, issuing an arrest on two of his field commanders, Rufus Moasqaui and Robert Morabi, two of the ALM's most renowned brutalizers, responsible for maiming dozens, perhaps hundreds of captured enemy soldiers. Both were die-heard supporters of the cause to a fault; any compromise was unacceptable. Under charges of drug and human trafficking, both of which were regretfully true, he had both incarcerated and Morabi, who had been responsible for several rapes before and during the Revolution was executed under charges of ''Cruel, Heinous or Debilitating crimes against the People''. Kateb would need to purge the ALM of its overly-radical members slowly to achieve any kind of long-term success.

Kateb regretfully began drafting several more lists, each one to be issued at a different date and each one containing a list of names, ranging from Brigadiers to Captains who would be arrested, and perhaps executed. The ALM, as all revolutions do, was beginning the slow process of refinement and improvement. Soon, what started as a protest on the streets of Mogadishu will become a serious contender in the African continent.



Kateb appearing among supporters in a Dhusamareb suburb as ALM trucks deliver a shipment of fresh water - the Puertollanian aid has been greeted not with triumphant celebration by the ALM, but with humble thanks, and many ALM members have long-forgotten their once-held dislike for the nation, however Kateb has recently begun to admire Castillo and his nativist policies, stating privately he believes they are a hallmark among South American politics.

[Puertollano]

After conversing with the appropriate members of the ALM, Puertollano has taken its first step in being actively supporting a faction in the on-going conflict. Several cargo-ships, accompanied by a few destroyers began their journey to the Mogadishu Republic, and to their closest avaliable port. Their contents were:25 MIM-23 Hawk anti-missile systems, as well as 300 missiles, 12 M60 Patton MBTs
20 M41 Walker Bulldog Light Tanks
10 M551 Sheridan Amphibious Tanks
30 UH-1 Huey Helicopters
50 M113 Armoured Personelle Carriers
400 M2 Browning .50 Calibre Machine-guns (With 2,000 rounds of ammunition per unit)
3,000 M-16 Rifles (600 rounds of ammunition per rifle)
And 30 Exocet Anti-Ship Missiles.

Not only was that on its way towards the ALM, but a plane departing from Galicia that was full of medical personnel, scientists, medical supplies and guards. The plane would land at the nearest ALM-controlled airport to the infection zone.

[Orostan]

Death to Zackaroth!

A huge protest took place today in Brasilia against the Zackrothian use of biological weapons in Africa. Protesters burnt the Zackrothian flag and shouted various anti Zackaroth things. A petition to begin shipping weapons to the ALM was submitted online to the Petitions page of the Orostani government website. Signatures are rising. A mosque which flew the Zackrothian flag in a sign of defiance was victim to a shooting yesterday, with only children being spared. It is suspected there were multiole shooters, and the police department of the town the mosque was in reported they are investigating the crime scene. Hate crimes against Zackrothians have spiked, and users on the image board Oro-Chan's political section, /pol/, are calling for the genocide of all Zackrothians. A survey by the Brasilia Post noted that 54% of the cities residents belive the Carbomb detonated in Brasilia a month ago was a false flag operation. A further 30% suggested it was Zackaroth's doing. President Anderson has stated that the actions by the "Imperialist powers" are cruel to the people of Africa. The President also supported Puertollano's actions, and urged the rest ignored the Seattle pact to make their choice.

Orostan will soon make its own choice about the African situation. Already planes have begun flying to drop humanitarian aid, including anti-Cholera medical supplies and fresh water.

[Greater Persian State]

Aide Packets
Persian Planes flying from Southern Iran have begun dropping packets of food aide and anti-cholera supplies. Across Somalia, Persian planes have dropped packets of Anti-Cholera supplies and food aide to centers of refugees and civilians fleeing from the conflict. Persian planes have made sure to avoid ALM centers and target civilian centers, Prime Minister Davud Akbar said on the campaign trail, "Persia is a compassionate country, we will help the people of Somalia and still target ALM terrorists."