The Second Nigerian Civil War(Democritus only!)

[NPC Controller of Zackaroth]

State of Nigeria-Part 5

Nigeria is hitting a critical threshold now as the HNA has weakened much, while the ICN and NSRA have only gotten stronger. Here is a small break down.

NSRA
The NSRA has gotten alot stronger now that is a recognized state. As such, support, both military and economic is flowing into the country. Added to that, in a recent push they took a large chunk of land from the HNA and have fended off all attempts by the ICN to take it. Elections are expected soon for the NSRA and will be closely monitored by the CSN to ensure fairness.

ICN

The ICN has grown massively in the last few weeks, despite border skirmishes with CSN forces. Though they are a guerilla army, their control over their territory is absolute. Couples with the fact that the ICN took Abuja, the capatial of Nigeria in a massive battle with the HNA , has grown their image among the people who have not picked a side yet. Though they cannot penetrate the NSRA, should they overwhelm the HNA and surround the new country, it could cause prolonged war between the two states. The ICN is calling on the CSN to recognize them as the defacto rulers of Nigeria and to leave at once.

HNA
The HNA has taken the brunt of the losses in this war and they seem to keep coming. With a mysterious illness killing hundreds, the HNA has weakened much and is on the verge of fracturing.However, a large scale fracture could seriously damage CSN efforts to restore the country as instead of dealing with one big faction, they may end up dealing with scores of smaller ones. Right now the strong leadership in the HNA is keeping things together but that may change as the CSN pushes inwards.

[Espalsio]

Farcados, CSN camp

With the HNA getting weaker and weaker with every day, the Spanish command stationed in Farcados along with the rest of the CSN forces, is preparing to retake the city of Yenagoa. The command doesn't anticipate strong resistance due to the small population size. Gen. Alesandro Duertez has assembled an invasion force of 15,000 troops, including 10 tanks, 10 IFVs, and 2 attack helicopters used earlier to retake the town. It is believed to be the largest mission by the spanish side in the whole conflict. Ther army is taking precautions taking gas masks and gasoline to burn down any infected bodies in case of necessity to prevent spread of infection among the Spanish troops. The strategy is very similar to the one used in the Calidelo war. The Royal Army will start out by bombarding the town with self-propelled guns and artillery to spread havoc among the HNA while the infantry will attack from the flanks

Gen. Duertez:

The Spanish troops are dedicated to spreading peace and preventing violence in Nigeria. We have decided to finally make the move on the crumbling enemy forces. All enemy POWs will be sent to compensate their countrymen by building more farms and factories for the people.

[Bendicion]

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Avanroa Eagle News Network is a news network based in Melbourne Australia. The news agency is the 2nd top-grossing news agency in Australia and employs 2,000 employees and staff. The agency is ranked as one of the most unbiased networks in the globe and has significantly given out high-quality content as of late. Although relatively young, the agency builds cooperative collaborations with well known Australian agencies for better quality news

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Operation Oil Charm: A Personal View
December 2 | A personal correspondence of Leila Morris

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As the early morning was setting in, the team and I were busy eating a quiet breakfast as the sun was just about to appear from the east. The streets were dusty and rugged from all the activity that happens everyday, but at this time of the day there was nothing more than quiet silence. Then it happened. The CSN military compound sprung to life as artillery blasted against the morning dawn. The thundering noise woke up the line of squeezed apartments with windows beginning to open and the men taking to the streets to watch the light coming out from the CSN compound, artillery rounds, headed to the North.

We headed for the CSN compound's main gate. CSN Japanese soldiers were standing guard, rather odd when we mostly had seen and greeted Australian soldiers. They stopped us and hurriedly tried to put away our cameras. We asked them about the artillery blasting this early of the day. They responded,"No comment". The answer left us puzzled and we went back to our hotel to check with other news agencies also trying to get coverage of the artillery blasting. "The Australian contingent is attempting to reach the city of Warri", I heard a reporter talk to a camera with artillery rounds blasting to the North behind him as he spoke. It dawned to me that this could be true. There had been rumors, weeks prior, that the Australian contingent were gearing up for a so-called offensive, backed up by the arrival of several armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles leading to late November. We decided to check the parking area where most of the Australian contingent kept their vehicles, about 1/3 of what we originally knew was still around, mostly jeeps and trucks, not the APCs and IFVs. Same goes as we moved past along the Japanese contingent's area.

Around the time that we got back to the hotel the artillery barrage had stopped and thick white smoke slowly rose from the CSN compound. It had been more than 2 hours of non-stop artillery barrage. News crews immediately swarmed out of the hotel, we went along with them to the CSN military compound. The Japanese guards were still tightly guarding the main entrance, not allowing any cameras and pushing aside anyone not part of the CSN command. After grueling hours of commotion, a CSN Australian commander stepped out of the main gate and told the waiting press of a press conference the Australian contingent was going to held at 1500. It was already 12:00NN, so we went town for a meal along with other press.

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As the media convoy drove towards town, the perimeter was sprouting to life once again. Women were already buying in the street stalls, men were busy talking and children played along the narrow alleyways. Then as we turned a corner, we saw a sight to behold. A line of military trucks, APCs and walking injured soldiers were heading our way, the lead vehicle of the media convoy was asked to give space for the military convoy to pass through, our cars had to go over the nearby sidewalk as the CSN convoy passed slowly along. As they passed, we hurriedly got out of the vans and started setting up the camera, a long with the others. I narrated of how we had just came to see the convoy which appeared to have seen in action. Trucks and APCs were littered with bullet holes, one APC had its left side completely blown away, showing the vehicle's interior. The marching soldiers themselves were heavily injured, helping each other as they marched, their bandages showed the red mark of courage. I walked slowly along with the camera as we tried to take up all the military convoy for our coverage and then we saw the trucks. We asked the marching soldiers about what happened, they replied." [Them] damn skinnies were crazy. [They] 'ardly stopped coming at us. Entire 2nd [Platoon] was pinned down, few survived". We never knew that the truck passing was the one transporting the 2nd platoon, 3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion of the Australian CSN contingent. We only realized it after the Australian Command told it in the press conference that 17 men were killed in action and 37 were injured.

As the convoy finally passed through we made our way to town and stopped at a small bistro, but it was evident that many of us had lost the appetite after what we had just saw. All except for our cameraman Nick Berrona, but that's another story. So after stopping at the local bistro we headed towards the CSN military compound to join the press conference. We were just in time as the senior officer narrated about what happened.

At time 0100, the combined forces of the Japanese Self Defense Force and Australian Army under the CSN Coalition banner launched Operation Oil Charm, the operation's aim is to open a safe route for future CSN missions towards the Nigerian interior, specifically on the city of Warri. The secondary objectives of the mission was to secure the Forcados-Burutu roads from HNA guerrila forces and neutralize the presence of HNA troops in Burutu and the Odimodi river deltas. At 0130, Australian and Japanese Special Forces were inserted by air drop over the town of Burutu to disrupt line of communication of HNA forces between the town and the perimeter. The combined forces were able to secure the central command outpost and communication building of the town's HNA garrison at 0230, the report was relayed to the command. At 0250,440 men, 18 ASLAV Armored Personnel Carriers and 20 CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicles of the 1st,2nd,3rd and 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalions were dispatched to commence the assault to neutralize hostile activity in the Forcados-Burutu coastal road, followed at 0308 by Japanese APCs and IFVs taking up a sweeping run in the Odimodi river delta. At 0335 The main armored force consisting of the 1st and 3rd MIBs reached the outskirts of Burutu and we're met with heavy resistance as HNA forces used rocket-propelled grenades to disrupt our APCs and IFVs. Japanese and Australian Special Forces were able to rendezvous with the assault force at 0350 to make a final push to secure the rest of Burutu. At 0400 HNA reinforcements began pouring in from the East and North, with a quote from our troops stating that,'They were almost an endless wave'.The assault force was momentarily encircled within Burutu by an estimated 600 HNA militia, and artillery support from the JSDF was requested that helped relieve the siege. At 0630, hostilities ceased and the remaining HNA forces were reported to have retreated back to Warri. The Australian Army lost 37 men in the operation including 7 Commandos, 8 CV90s, 4 ASLAVs and 188 wounded.

The operation has been considered a success with the town of Burutu finally secured along with the Odimodi river delta and the opposite banks of the Forcados river delta. During the mopping up operation the JSDF brought needed food and medical supplies to the people of Burutu, the Japanese doctors did reported that none of the villagers were found to have anthrax symptioms and declared that Burutu was still free from the Warri outbreak. Soldiers were also ordered to put a strict perimeter defense line not just for HNA hostiles but for incoming civilians as the chances of the Warri outbreak spreading is still a serious possibility. Any incoming civilians will be immediately quarantined.

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Avanroa reporter Leila Morris w/ Nick Berrona inside the CSN military compound strike a quick pose

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The press conference lasted for 4 hours, in which several question were directed to the Australian commanders and their Japanese counterparts. They gladly answered most of the questions regarding the military objectives and strategies, but were unwilling to give a response to the CSN-related questions, stating that the whole CSN body should be the one answering those questions and not the CSN contingent forces in Nigeria.

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||JSDF: Not yet finished counting casualties|| Australian soldiers to get new equipment for protection against chemical attack|| HNA forces retreating to Warri may result to further increase in Anthrax infections||Japanese and Australian Special Forces given commendations, a new age of joint military operations?||Sharp End PMCs in NSRA limited to advisor roles||Documentary on the 2nd Platoon's heroic still in the talks||Nick Berrona says Nigerian food is great

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All rights reserved Bendicion

[Zackaroth]

The Jungle between Forcados and Yenagoa

The Spanish forces had made a severe mistake. They could travel to Yenagoa by road and would instead have to cut through the immense southern jungle. This swampy, tropical forest was a nightmare. The 10 tanks the Spaniards brought would need constant repairs and need to be hauled repeatedly out of dirt and mud traps. The deeper they got the worse it was and at some point the tanks would not be able to clear the dense brush without damaging themselves. IFVs would fair little better. Since most troops where on foot, the travel time would take weeks to get to Yenagoa. This was also a mistake.

The HNA had control of most of the southern jungle and the helicopters made tempting targets for groups patrolling the jungle. What they didn't expect at all however was 15,000 spanish troops marching in the forest. Now that could not be ignored. The whole way to Yenagoa the Spanish troops where harassed by ambushes, met with mine traps, and even had trees left to block their path. At night was the worst for the HNA gave no reprieve, bombarding spanish camps with makeshifts rockets, snipers and gunfire. The aim was to either have them turn back or wittle them down so much that Yenagoa would be much better off.

If they had a supply behind them, the HNA would constantly acost it, ambushing convoys to steal supplies. Still even worse, is that troops would have to cross the Niger River. There was no way around it. Any tanks or IFVS would have to be sent back and troops would have to becareful not be swept away by the currents. The HNA would acost them even here, sniping at stragglers or purposely throwing explosives into the waters. Then in a couple of miles, they had to cross the Niger again and the same thing would occur.

Should the Spanish still press on and actually reach the area near Yenagoa, they would find the terrain even worse, with numerous swamps and rivers curtailing them. This would all lead to fact that after weeks of marching, Yenagoa would be ready for a fight with atleast a 20,000 thousand fighting force ready to take on the most likely exhausted, tired and less numerous Spanish troops. As they got closer to the actual city, artillery would become alot more common as would ambushes and traps. Should they decide to retreat at this point they would find it too late. Squads of soliders from both Amassia and Ogobinri, numbering in 500 each would be waiting for them to turn around and begin attacking them once more.

[Espalsio]

Road to Yeonoga

When the Spaniards first started the mission, the brave men were in high spirits. They were told that the campaign will be "a piece of cake" where they will quickly overrun a poorly-assembled rag-tag militia with cheap weapons and install the tri-color flag of Espalsio on every building of Yeonoga. They believed they were helping the workers and farmers oppressed by extremists Christians.

But once they were well into the journey, the Spanish forces were surrounded by the African jungle and enemy. The road to Yeonoga proved to be harder than it seemed on the map. But still, the steadfast Colonel, tasked with leading the assault, was not quick to turn back. He did not realize that the rebels were waiting for him and having his forces surrounded. It seemed that the leadership has made a similar move to what the Spanish troops did back in the Calidelo war where due to their inflated confidence in the Spanish might, the troops were not prepared as much as they should have been. The soldiers were hiding behind the trees and digging trenches to hide agains the enemy fire while slowly progressing towards the city with the people on the edges of the legion formation were firing back and served as a cover. Tanks and IFVs would cover the troops and yielded a great resistance. Colonel Rodriguez hoped for the CSN assistance, at least aerial support. In the first days of the campaign, the Spanish soldiers have lost a lot of supplies and experienced delays. The soldiers were not used to fighting in African jungles. The most common training ground for them were either a comfortable Iberian plain or Moroccan desert, the jungles were a different world; but the colonel did not believe in routing. He ordered the troops to continue and fight as long as they can despite concerns voiced by some of the soldiers.

The campaign was not a piece of cake how it was imagined by the fighters anymore. Silent prayers filled the formation.

[Orbanis]

Japanese-Australian Warri Initiative

With Burutu now in CSN hands, Japan has begun to move up its men from Forcados to the front line to act as a relief for Australian forces. This time Japan is also advancing with modular base parts to establish a command center and FOB in Burutu. With the state of Warri now in question as reports of sickness within the city are now coming in the JSDF will be halting its planned attack on the city. Instead Japan will be establishing the Odimodi river delta as a safe zone for citizens of Nigeria. Japanese forces will also be establishing a border guard along the Forcados River to prevent the sickness from entering CSN controlled territory.

However, Japan did conduct a military operation earlier today. At 0200 fifteen JSDF river boats with 130 special forces members departed from Forcados heading upstream. They traveled to the small town of Gbekebor on the Forcados River under the cover of darkness. The forces split into two teams landing to the north and south of the small town. Filled with mostly churches and a small market the JSDF did not expect a large amount of resistance especially with the Warri Crisis and the Caliphate pushing in from the North. Unfortunately Intelligence had dropped the ball. The town had 300 HNA Soldiers in it when special forces arrived and landed on the beach, likely those who escaped from Burutu before the town was surrounded. JSDF Special forces engaged the 300 men at 0600 just as the sun was beginning to rise. The ensuing battle lasted for six hours before JSDF forces were able to push the HNA out of the town, but at a heavy cost. 43 JSDF Special Forces Men and Women lost their lives in the assault, a cost that many consider to be too high. Regardless the JSDF sent a transport shortly after to set up a Quarantine Zone for the area. Gbekebor is unique in the sense that is has a road that directly connects it to the infrastructure around Warri and will allow the CSN forces to proceed directly to the town with either the intent of liberation or quarantine.

JSDF Forces also launched to the south with 10,000 men and vehicles to bolster the Spanish offensive toward Yeonoga. With thick jungle between them and the front lines many vehicles were left as they would not be able to commence the trek through jungle mud and the thick forest. JSDF soldiers instead brought along mortars, shoulder launched rockets, and heavy machine guns. JSDF Forces are expected to link up with the Spanish in two days.

In other news the JSDF has announced that they had lost 39 men and 2 APCs during the Burutu Engagement, three of which who were special forces. With this many losses in such a short time the JSDF is not coming under scrutiny from the Japanese Government, especial in the case of so many special forces now dead.

[Arecla]

Indigo

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With the war in Nigeria continuing to drag out the governments of the FSR and France decided to collaborate. Military staff of both countries have arrived in Forcados and established a joint planning group to better coordinate war strategy. Indigo was chosen as the codename for a joint offensive onto Nigeria. At 0500 hours both the FSR and French forces launched their respective amphibious landings. After the landings are conducted it's planned for the coalition forces to link up at the Eket-Oron Road. To achieve this the coalition troops would launch a general offensive along the entire front till it reaches its boundary point of the south of the Eket-Oron Road and east of the Kwa Ibo River. For both the FSR and French troops, after the initial landings are complete a few tanks, vehicles, artillery and other varieties of weapons will be unloaded for use. Also prior to the arrival of the landing craft and helicopters carrying the assault forces, aircraft (such as the Sixth Republic EA-18G Growlers and fifth generation Griffon Vultures) would attack any enemy artillery, vehicles, or SAM positions which could be identified by satellite and drone reconnaissance.

As for the FSR they had spent much time in their respective base in NRSA territory. There they have been training and preparing for the amphibious assault. FSR forces landed at Kwa Ibo. The first wave of marines would establish a bridgehead which would allow other troops to land the process which could take a while due to the sheer number of soldiers. The offensive itself to capture the town would start as soon as possible. If everything went according to plan, the entire FSR's force of twenty-five thousand would land at the town. After the landing zone was completely secure engineers would start working on a port to make logistics easier in the area. However, there was one cause of major concern amongst the FSR's military staff. Like the Japanese experienced earlier in Forcados, Kwa Ibo held an oil terminal. In preparation, troops were briefed on the issue in advance and were also instructed to help evacuate any civilian should such an event happen. Patrol boats armed with water cannons are being held close to Kwa Ibo. Amongst the FSR navy, some carrier-based helicopters have already been loaded with water ready to dump it on a fire. In addition to the operation's main goals, FSR forces seek to liberate Ekat.

As for the French forces, they'll undertake a similar maneuver not counting the anti-fire preparations but in James Town. The French will land a total of twenty-five thousand. Similarly to the FSR, the French troops also have an additional goal which they'll undertake: the liberation of Oron.

[Zackaroth]

Gbekebor

The Japense force instead of finding a well defended village, or a village at all really would find a ghost town. Nobody was here and it seemed to have been cleared out just recently. However it would soon become apparent why. The town was being used as a body disposal site for the infected. Weeks before hand the HNA had cleared out the town and had begun regular shipments of infected bodies, dumping them into the town. People who couldn't or refused to leave where shot and left to rot. People who showed signs of infections in Warri where also killed and shipped here. The buildings and some of the roads where lined with people either feared to be infected or actually had Anthrax. It was a macabre scene and showed just how desperate the HNA was to contain the viral outbreak.


Road to Yeonoga

The Spanish forces where indeed surronded now. As they closer and closer to Yeonoga, the HNA forces at their rear would begin to close in. They purposely destroyed trench lines that had been abandoned as the spanish pushed forwards or hide explosive mines within them if they retreated or the Japanese forces decided to use them. The Japanese where in the same predicament as they followed the path of the Spanish. Hit and run tactic prevailed, along with various traps and spider holes. Worse, much of the supplies the HNA had stolen from Spain aided in reinvigorating the small groups, supplying them with weapons and food they needed.

Battle of Kwa Ibo

The HNA had been expecting a large landing here. They had even planned on it. They didn't expect it to be the FSR but to them it was all the same. A force of 10,000 was garrisoned in the city and ready to fight. The FSR helicopters trying to soften up their targets would find they where also in danger of roving MANPAD fire from the ground. Since these where actual humans who could move quickly, satellite pictures could not help. As the FSR attempted to create a beach head, the HNA began using its L16 mortar canons to bombard to the shore and keep their engineers from getting a solid lock on the land. The South Americans would notice that the fire was coming from two directions. Both from the town AND oil terminal station. The HNA had learned from its loss at the start of the war. While the Forcados explosion was a last act, this was planned months in advanced. The Ibo terminal was much bigger then Forcados and held alot more oil. An explosion here could wipe out the town and have hundreds of more casualties. And the HNA was alot more brazen.

Their mortars in the town where generally hidden. But in the terminal they where out in the open, daring the FSR to attack them back and start a chain reaction that would kill hundreds, before they could evacuate them. Worse, the HNA had not allowed any of the civilians to evacuate, saying everyone must fight against the God fearing communists. Those that did where shot and labeled traitors.

Battle of Jamestown

At Jamestown, the story was different. The HNA where completely outgunned, at only 900-1000 troops vs the French's 25,000. This did not mean they would make it easy however. Jamestown was a bit different then most Nigerian cities. Instead of becoming more dense at the center and more spacious at the border, Jamestown was the opposite, becoming more dense the closer one got to the shoreline. This allowed the HNA to try and grind a French push to a hault as they would use Stalingrad like tactics to force the French into fighting house to house and street to street battles. They kept close so any mortar or air support would risk killing friendly troops as well.

[Zackaroth]

Nigeria Update Part 6

The war for Nigeria grows ever longer and proceeds at a snail pace but the HNA may not last to see its end. Being attacked from all sides, their territory shrinks with each passing day. With the ICN now in full control of Abuja, they have rallied and have routed several HNA attempts to push back. These push backs have forced the HNA to go into a full retreat as the ICN captures more land. This pressure is threatening to tear the HNA apart as the Western Half of the HNA begins to crumble under the weight of the the viral outbreak that is spreading along with the impending attack on Warri by CSN forces. The Eastern HNA is having to deal with more military attacks, facing battles in the lower jungles, and at sea as the CSN tries to pincer its way into its territory. Risk still remains high for the HNA to fragment and unrest in the military is growing. A massive defeat could send it toppling.

The ICN meanwhile has not been quiet and has been demanding for weeks for the CSN to recognize it and its territory claims at the legitimate government. This is having a cascading effect across Africa as supporters of the ICN are starting to gain traction. ICN cells in Niger and Chad are reported to have been causing trouble and even worse, volunteers from poor African nations have started to flood into ICN Nigeria. This has sparked fears soon the ICN will grow too large to deal with as their rankings swell, with some experts believing they could have around 900,000 to 1 million troops by the start of the new year. Frequent border raids on Niger and Chad are also concerns as if the war starts to expand from Nigeria, the CSN itself could face a dangerous and unpredictable situation.

[Arecla]

Kwa Iba

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HNA resistance at Kwa Ibo far surpassed what the FSR was expecting. Despite that, FSR troops supported by naval and aerial forces managed to capture a bridgehead south of the Harvest Sea Food restaurant. With that reinforcements began to flow into the area, a total of seven thousand soldiers along with heavy weaponry. The FSR troops tried their best to make some further inroads into HNA territory, but each and every step forward was fiercely contested. [Henceforth will be referred as Formation B]

This made the general staff reconsider whether taking the town head-on was a viable option. They came to the conclusion that it was unlikely there were any massed HNA troops outside the town, and soon satellite reports seemingly confirmed that. The general staff then decided that they would land beside the town and then flank it. For the plan to work it was important for the HNA forces to continue focusing all their attention on Formation B, so the decision was made that they'd stay there for a while longer. [Also all operations have air and naval support, just to put this in]

The twenty thousand troops which didn't land quietly pulled back and prepared for a new landing zone. That zone would encompass an area from seven-tenths miles East of Kwa Iba up till the Esuk Ikim Ekeme Market. The fact that it's not a populated area also means that FSR forces would be at a much greater liberty to take advantage of their heavy weaponry. Following a successful landing, the forces would then move on a flanking maneuver towards Kwa Iba. The FSR forces conducting the operation were instructed to not rush out of recklessness and to not leave their flanks exposed to a possible attack from the North however unlikely that was. Due to the lack of roads in the area, it's expected that it will take a while for the forces to reach their target. Thus the HNA troops in the area would be given the choice of trying to retreat or staying to fight in the town. [henceforth will be referred as Formation A]

After the previous landing was successfully conducted and secure the seven thousand troops at Kwa Iba would start to withdraw. The general staff from there expect that the HNA might then try to focus all their attention on Formation A, but regardless Formation B would not join them. Formation B's plan would be to take Upenekang, and after securing the town they would be instructed to secure the surrounding roads. The idea was that this would be executed with as much speed and stealth possible. The ships of Formation B would pull back into the navy where it'd be harder to keep track of them and where they could replenish their strength. Then decoy ships (including some landing craft from Formation A) going towards Formation A to try to confuse the HNA while sometime later the real ships would depart for their target. If possible Formation A and B would link up.

OOC: I did assume that I captured a bridgehead in this post but from what I asked on the RMB it seemed like I was free to decide.

[Zackaroth]

Battle of Kwa Ibo
The HNA forces had mistakenly thought they had won until started coming from the terminal that the FSR forces had landed east to the town and where attempts to invade that way. The caused a problem as the group in the actually city did not want to leave to reinforce the oil terminal or the FSR could attack again from the West or South. Worse it seemed the FSR was getting reinforcements from its other group. They never expected to hold Kwa Ibo for long so there was a mass order. The soldiers in the town had thirty minutes to evac and so they did.

During this time, the troops at the oil terminal east of town fought tooth and nail to keep the FSR back but the terminal itself and the land was not able to help. They where trying to fight a conventional battle with one of the strongest militraies on Earth. They where getting massacred with their flank open. It was time for plan b.

When Forcados's oil terminal went up, it had been a hastily put together effort to deny the CSN an oil hub. It was spur of the moment. But the HNA saw how effective this was and knew that the CSN would prioritize lives over pushing in deeper. That and this being the FSR held a very good propaganda advantage for them. People where scared of the communists. They where mistreated under the HNA for sure but months propaganda before and during the war had scared citzens and they honestly believed the communists would come, strip them of their religion, take their homes and livelihood. The line of thinking got worse the deeper one went into Nigeria as the uneducated and easily controlled peoples would believe anything under heavy duress.

And they had just given them something even more to be scared of. The oil terminal explodes. Unlike Forcados its was not just two but all of them. The massive containers filled with oil went up in a blinding flash of light. Pipelines under the terminal ignited, a blast rushed out and would vaporize any HNA or FSR solider too close. Those left at Formation A near the market would probably be thrown back the force of the explosion and probably heavily injured. The town itself was completely destroyed, many of the civilians forced inside dead or dieing. The ram shack and close together houses ripped apart by the blast wave like cardboard. When it was all over, -everything- was on fire.

The FSR may have been prepared to fight this fire but it was massive. The terminal was still emitting explosions, the town itself was burning in several places. Smoke filled the air. The FSR troops attacking Upenekang could hear and mostly feel the explosion. The 500 troops holding there, supposed to have been serving as reinforcements for Kwa Ibo, quickly retreated. The FSR had won but it had come with a cost.

The bridge connecting Kwa Ibo to Nigeria had been completely destroyed, collapsed by the HNA during the retreat. 15% of the Kwa Ibo's population was dead with the 30,000 death count rising. 1,500 HNA troops had been killed in the fighting and 200 more where lost in the retreat. The HNA may be teetering but it was going to be a fight for every inch.

[New Metropolitan France]

Across Francophone Africa (but more specifically Niger and Chad)

With news that the Nigerian extremists were beginning to spill over into neighboring countries, the French Confederation opted to take immediate action. Having already a large military presence in the region for other anti-terrorist activities, Confederation aircraft and ground forces including tanks, APCs, and various planes along with thousands of personnel from Algeria have launched Operation Flame; an effort to destroy all elements of the ICN before they may truly establish themselves abroad. Satellites and reconnaissance drones would identify any cross-border supply lines they might try to access, to be targeted by thermobaric weapons from heavy-lifter aircraft. This would only occur after Mirage jets use their air to ground missiles to destroy any anti-aircraft positions. At the same time, the ground forces would advance on all pockets of rebels along the border frontiers using AMX-30 tanks and various types of APCs. The troops would be a mix of French Dominion (from Algeria), Sixth Republic, and local Francophone states. The groups involved would operate in a cohesive manner, with the knowledge of the local forces combined with recon provided by the Confederation, while on a tactical level they would also benefit from previous cooperation experiences against the APLF and other rebellions. When the terrain proved unsuitable for support from vehicles, mortars and grenade launchers were brought in along with snipers. Total number of forces deployed as part of Operation Flame - 28,000 including non-combatants.

The Sixth Republic's landingzone, Nigeria

In previous battles in towns and cities that the nation had taken part in, such as the battle of Pakse in the Indochina War, the enemy of the French Confederation had been expecting a fight and so deployed forces capable of competing numerically. This was not the case as Jamestown. Consequently, while the enemy SAM launchers were the primary targets of the first bombs to fall, helicopters from the assault ships begin to ferry Nigerian civilians away from the city. At the same time, APCs begin to roll up the streets of the town in support of the infantry. A mix of Indochina War veterans (including urban campaigns such as the battles of Hanoi and Pakse), as well as regulars who took part in the Great European War, they would tactically move from block to block and assign buildings where resistance was heavy for mortar fire and aerial bombardment. As soon as any heavy weapons belonging to the enemy, be it SAMs, artillery, vehicles, or a fortified machine-gun nest, show themselves they would become the primary target of the drones that circle above the town and landing zone. Aware of the risks posed by snipers, the Republic's troops would remain in cover wherever possible, and always use cover fire before advancing into at-risk areas. Casualties in the opening hours are believe to be 189 dead and wounded. Meanwhile, the landings continue to bring in fresh troops and equipment.

Meanwhile, Rafale jets from the carrier group off the coast of Nigeria begin to conduct air raids at high altitude against any enemy forces trying to threaten the rear flanks and supply line of the Iberian forces. However, the French Confederation has issued the Iberians with a warning that they will only do so for a limited time and so that they should withdraw and reorganize while still possible before risking a disaster on the scale of Dien Bien Phu.

[Bendicion]

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Avanroa Eagle News Network is a news network based in Melbourne Australia. The news agency is the 2nd top-grossing news agency in Australia and employs 2,000 employees and staff. The agency is ranked as one of the most unbiased networks in the globe and has significantly given out high-quality content as of late. Although relatively young, the agency builds cooperative collaborations with well known Australian agencies for better quality news

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MBT-18A Williams arrives in Forcados
December 28 | Leila Morris

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The arrival of the Williams is expected to change the tables in the ongoing CSN operation of Australia

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FORCADOS- 30 MBT-18A, better known as Williams Tanks, of the 15th Mechanized Armor Battalion, 1st Armoured Division of the Australian Army arrived early on the morning of Christmas Day from the ship transport ANS Peak, ANS Graff and ANS Ventia along with 100 support engineering crews and 28 trucks. The force also brought in necessary supplies such as ammunition, oil and medicines for the Australian troops stationed in Forcados and Burutu.

The 15th made a quick stopover in the CSN Military Compound at Forcados, before crossing town heading north, in the direction of the town of Burutu. The convoy of tanks and supply trucks were escorted by the 3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion, a force of 300 soldiers ,15 Puma IFVs and 20 Bushmaster Protected Mobility vehicles. The convoy is expected to relieve the garrison currently protecting Burutu.

The MBT-18A's presence significantly increased morale about the Australian forces. The tank is one of the most heavily armored tanks in the world. Recently unveiled by ACHEUS - Military Service Provider, the tank incorporates upgraded Chobham armor. Although it is heavily armoured, it can be able to cruise at speeds nearly reaching 80km/hr at full load on paved roads, and at 55km/hr off road. The tank is not invincible from rocket propelled grenades, but these weapons must be able to hit the tank at almost close range, 10-20m from the tank. This weakness however is supplemented by troops surrounding going ahead and flanking the tanks on all sides.

It is still unknown whether the Williams will be solely used in the defense of Burutu, with rumors among the the CSN and media that the tanks might go Southeast to help support the struggling CSN operation of the Spanish and supporting Japanese or will travel across the Forcados river and head northwest

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||New arrivals to construct Forcados pontoon bridge||8 HNA troops killed on Burut perimeter|| 2 Australians injured after ambushed on patrol||Australian troops from Operation Oil Charm to be relieved and sent back to Forcados||Australian troop count: 23,199 and 411 vehicles

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All rights reserved Bendicion

[Arecla]

Upenekang

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The Battle of Kwa Ibo fought just a while back ago ended in an FSR victory but a cost. During the battle, the HNA exploded an oil terminal. While the explosion itself killed few soldiers it still did damage. A lot of soldiers were injured to varying degrees, yet it was insignificant compared to the destruction the explosion caused to Kwa Ibo's populace. A hospital was set up at Kwa Ibo to tend for wounded soldiers and civilians. Any soldier with an injury that's worse than "negligible" will be sent back to the FSR on a hospital ship, and in place would come fresh reinforcements. This would take a while as to compared to just sending soldiers with major injuries back to the FSR, but regardless the choice was taken. The cooldown period would also be used to replace or repair equipment. By now the FSR's base at the NRSA had been retrofitted for logistical purposes, which helped deal with the issue a lot quicker than it would have been otherwise.

The HNA also took losses at Kwa Ibo. After the battle, they retreated to Ekat leaving the town of Upenkang undefended. After that, FSR forces took Upenkang, it's surrounding roads, and the land West of Upenekang (up to the river), without any serious opposition. Then, the FSR forces shifted towards a more defensive position along the entire front to guard against an attack, though it's unlikely that'd it happen. Meanwhile, the FSR also had to fix the damage done by the HNA at Kwa Ibo. Many homes and buildings were burnt down by the fires after the oil terminal explosion, and those had to be rebuilt. Yet many in the town were fearful of the FSR due to the HNA's anti-communist propaganda. As a symbolic act the FSR helped rebuild a church fairly early on in the reconstruction, and to the surprise of much of the populace, they learned that many in the FSR's armed forces were in fact Christians. There was also rebuilding done at Upenekang, which was also affected by the explosion but not as much as Kwa Ibo. Temporarily at least a state of peace was achieved without any major fighting against the HNA which was at Ekat, but everyone knew that wouldn't last.

[Bendicion]

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Avanroa Eagle News Network is a news network based in Melbourne Australia. The news agency is the 2nd top-grossing news agency in Australia and employs 2,000 employees and staff. The agency is ranked as one of the most unbiased networks in the globe and has significantly given out high-quality content as of late. Although relatively young, the agency builds cooperative collaborations with well known Australian agencies for better quality news

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Pontoon bridges built across to reach Forcados River Islets
January 6 | Leila Morris

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The arrival of the Williams is expected to change the tables in the ongoing CSN operation of Australia

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BURUTU - Arrival of engineer crews in Burutu led to the garrison forces being ordered to set up pontoon bridges on the nearby Burutu Islets on the Forcados River. Drone surveillance had been conducted prior and have shown no activity. An Australian river patrol of 3 RHIBs containig 15 soldiers from Burutu was sent to conduct a thorough search of the islet and found no activity. 8 soldiers built a small perimeter encampment to hold the small beach head, with assurance from Burutu of artillery and drone support.

The pontoon bridges were placed to reach a small sand sand bank islet first, and was built with no problems with the river flow able to be withstanded. The engineers and soldiers were guarded by nearby RHIB boats that scanned the Forcados river proximity, some even patrolled around the Burutu Islets to better make sure that any such activity may be detected. Overhead, drones were set up at fixed positions over head the two big islets and on the other riverbank to the North, they were kept at their positions, fixed on the surrounding areas to also detect movement.

After 8 hours of construction,nearly nightfall, the pontoon bridge was successfully constructed, spanning from Burutu to the sand bank over to the western Islet. The 8 soldiers earlier from the RHIB boats were able to meet up with the engineers and soldiers who constructed the pontoon bridges. An artillery round was fired from Burutu towards the islet's center. 100 soldiers from Burutu's garrison of 400 were quickly sent to construct a forward operations base, first digging trenches before heavy material supplies could be brought in. RHIB boats were sent to scout the coasts of the islet and then of the eastern islet.

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||Williams tanks do target practice, in direction of Warri || 2 Australian soldiers in Burutu perimeter critically wounded after another HNA attack|| 16 trucks from Forcados to evacuate Burutu population back to Forcados Perimeter || Rising casualties causing low public opinion back home || Kwa Ibo victory raises morale

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Australian troops to land on towns on opposite banks of Forcados
January 6 | Leila Morris

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The use of fast moving RHIB boats has become synonymous with Australia's part in Nigeria

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Forcados - Australian naval RHIB boats, numbering 9 boats with 8 men on each, were sent to scout 3 Forcados population areas on the opposite bank of the Forcados perimeter. One of the towns includes a flow station, an important asset to be captured to help regulate a clean water supply for the Forcados perimeter, which has more than 500,000-750,000 inhabitants and 60,000 Australian, Japanese and Austrian soldiers, the Italian contingent was replaced by the arriving Austrians.

The RHIB boats were accompanied by 6 Predator drones, 2 for each town. that took surveillance images of the town from a height of 6,150 ft, an almost safe distance from average MANPAD range of 6,100. The images were able to show HNA activity, the closer the RHIB boats , the more HNA activity along the streets.

The RHIB boat however were not intended to land and kept at distance of 1.8 km, but to scout the area. Using 20x high powered binoculars from their boats, the scouts were able to detect HNA activity.

The town with the flow station was estimated to have 500-1,000 troops based on the RHIB scouts' reports, while the town a few meters east of the flow station town was reported to have 300-700 troops, although the Predator drones were still able to capture HNA trucks arriving with reinforcements from nearby Yokri Egbe, which was itslef hosting 1,000-2,000 troops. Civilian population was nowhere in sight, with most seen activity showing people holding any sort of weaponry.

It is suggested that an Australian operation will be underway to secure these towns as well as the flow station. It is still however debated on how many nations will take part and how many men and vehicles will be sent to capture the town, although an amphibious assault is a no-brainer.

An important highway route also dots the three towns, making them strategic areas of interest if the CSN does indeed plan to reach NSRA lines to the Northwest.

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||Northcott frigate to arrive by the 16th in Forcados || 5th consecutive day of Forcados blackout, causing squalor || Australians wounded from Burutu sent to Australian camp hospital || Thousands of troops in Forcados perimeter to move to new FOB sites in Burutu and Odimodi river deltas

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All rights reserved Bendicion

[Zackaroth]

Borders of Chad and Nigeria
Many of the very small supply lines where destroyed and Operation Flame cut off any attempt at the ICN to expand outside of Nigeria. They did not loose much from these engagements, pulling away as soon as the overwhelming force became apparent. For now the ICN proper would be contained within Nigeria. However, its ideology and beliefs could not be destroyed so easily. The cells that had begun to grow in African nations could be destroyed, but like a cancer they could manifest in other, insidious ways. For the ICN, this took the form of lone wolf terrorism. People not supported or supplied by the ICN but who committed small scale terror attacks in their names. This would soon place Africa on edge...

Jamestown Nigeria

The battle here was intense but short. The French had to survive a choke point to access the inner part of the village and had the HNA committed more forces to the area, the battle could have easily been prolonged as any bombing attempts would risk the French killing their own forces. However, because of the unexpected nature of the attack, HNA had too few numbers and unlike Kwa Ibo, had no counter to the massive French force. They began a hasty retreat, quickly fleeing into jungle and towards Enwang. The French had secured the town. But victory would not last long. From across the Cross River, artillery would start to bombard Jamestown, in the middle of the night. A small garrison of HNA forces based from Tom Shoot was on the island and attempting hit and run artillery strikes on the town, quickly retreating once any CSN air force was detected within the area. Not all strikes hit the town but a few did and those mattered, as the HNA hoped to inspire a distraction and keep the French forces from going deeper into Nigeria.


Road to Yeonoga

French forces struck from on high at the HNA forces harassing the supply lines of the Spanish forces but this did little to stop them. Instead they just moved in closer to supply lines and their presence hidden in the jungle until it was time to strike. They hoped to force the French back off or again risk accidentally killing their allies from the close proximity of the fighting.

[NPC Controller of Zackaroth]

State of Nigeria Part 7

The HNA continues to lose ground to massive ICN pushes and now cracks are alot more apparent within the regime. HNA leader, Colonel Adeyemi, today said every man, woman and child must take up arms against the the CSN communists and ICN Islamists. He went on to say their way of life is threatened and that the powers of the world are seeking to destroy Christianity in Nigeria forever. However, several sections of HNA terrority are considering forming their own nation-states and then seeking to deal with the CSN to become recognized, much like the NSRA. This is becoming very apparent in Calabar, as HNA forces there did not stop a protest against the regime, with even a general stepping up and saying it was time something changed. If the HNA cannot push back against the ICN or CSN soon, the next loss of land will split the movement in half.

The ICN remains strong, despite the French blunting their efforts to expand out of Nigeria. This has caused some concern as the Civil War has dragged on for months and the CSN has not taken a single HNA stronghold and remains content to taking the costal towns. Warri is within reach of a joint Japanese and Australian assault but so far have held off. In the meantime the ICN has only grown more massive and gained more land and people. While France may be able to stop the ICN from leaving Nigeria, its charges seem to be having trouble volunteers from entering the nation and joining the ICN. Not only that but the ICN is also inspiring many extremist Muslim communities across the globe, as it is the first true extremist movement to have reached such a size since the times of the non-secular Middle East. CSN observers are also concerned that the war may take months or even years to end at this rate as only a small amount of forces are engaging with the ICN.

[New Metropolitan France]

Operation Blue Horizon

Thirty of the French Confederation's new UI-92 bombers took off from airbases in Algeria, along with 59 of the same type belonging to NAF. They soon split into two waves; the first wave included 10 Confederation bombers to target Kano, the remaining 20 to target enemy forces near Enwang, while in the second wave 37 NAF bombers hit the jungle between Jamestown and Enwang (where enemy forces are retreating through according to the last NPC response), while Oron is visited by the remaining 22. Each plane carries 64,000 pounds of bombs, delivered against strategic military targets at their targets previously identified by satellite, aircraft, or drones.

The land campaign

By now, most of the French Confederation troops and their equipment were on dry land and the town had been secured. 250 had fallen during the opening battle of this particular effort to restore order to Nigeria. Meanwhile, 10 Rafales have been assigned for around the clock bombing of any and all enemy artillery that may pop up to try and hit the town from across the delta.

With the landing zone secured, the Confederation has decided to try and prop up their flanks. Tanks will not be of much use within the jungle terrain, and so have deployed 15 around the town's northern and southern perimeters to be able to shell any forces which might try and launch any surprise counteroffensive in the future. Meanwhile, 8,500 troops, mostly ARVN veterans from the Indochina Wars, begin to carefully pursue the enemy through the jungle terrain (they are not truly trying to catch up to the fleeing enemy, just follow them and take shots where possible) once the aerial bombing has subsided, while 25 tanks, trucks bringing towed artillery, and 1,000 dismounted troops begin to proceed along the main road from the landing zones towards Enwang. They will act as a pincer to cut off the enemies fleeing through the jungle from escaping anywhere to the the south. Armored all-terrain vehicles carry other forces of the advance, and begin to dismount them where the force encounters any resistance along the road to Enwang. If they are able to arrive at the town quickly, it would be after the first wave's bombers had completed their strikes on Enwang, and hope to catch them while still stunned and begin an encirclement. While the bombers fly from Algeria, the carrier group off the coast has not been idle - jets continue to provide air support where needed. While Confederation commanders were concerned about how stretched their forces would be for numbers, their concerns were shown to not be valid when new vessels flying the NAF and CSN flags were sighted...

NAF forces join the efforts

North American forces have begun to land now that the landing zone is secure, and join the French Confederation troops serving under the CSN banner. The NAF forces are the maximum permitted under the CSN limit in terms of personnel numbers, and so will double the total coalition presence in the region. They would divide themselves to cover multiple objectives; some would cover the jungle to the south of the road to Enwang, and begin small scout missions into the interior to try and identify what level of enemy presence there may be there. The rest would attempt to join the Confederation forces approaching/beginning the encirclement if possible of Enwang. By now, the CSN forces would have a 'net' around the fleeing forces in the tough jungle trying to reach Enwang after disengaging from Jamestown - the allied forces on the road would prevent them from going in that direction, where they could make use of armor and mobility, and be supported against any attacks from the jungle on the other side of the road by the arriving Americans. The Confederation forces advancing through the jungle directly from Jamestown towards Enwang after the bombers complete their pass would prevent any change in direction back towards the east, and use of the road to quickly reach Enwang would enable the forces who will try and encircle the town to effectively separate them from their comrades. All while NAF artillery is unloaded at the landing zone and prepared to deploy.

OOC: notes request by UMU are as follows; 500 of the NAF forces will be using TITAN Infantry Exoskeletons, MAHEM weapons will be used against any Nigerian armor, Handheld gauss weaponry, Universal Load carriers, etc.

Diplomacy

The French Sixth Republic has stated that they would consider passing on any proposal regarding diplomatic recognition for consideration to the CSN on their behalf; they are invited to detail their proposals if possible to Confederation forces.

[Arecla]

Operation Ivy Garden

A while back ago twenty-five thousand Calin forces landed at Kwa Ibo. That combined with the now fully-recovered FSR forces would give a total of fifty-thousand troops. The combined forces were divided into three groups, Army A, Army B, and Army C. Army A consists of thirty-thousand troops. Army B and Army C consist of ten-thousand troops respectively.

The three armies would all conduct offensives along a broad and continuous front. Army A's main goal would be the town of Eket. As Army A is expected to far outnumber the HNA forces at Eket the army plans to sweep along the Eastern side of Eket up till the Eket-Uyo Road if possible.

On the other hand, Army B will sweep across the East. Unlike Army A, Army B has no specific town as a target. Army B would try to fulfill Operation Indigo's original plan, of occupying land East of the Kwa Ibo River and South of the Eket-Oron Road (and also the road). However, it's not expected that Army B would be able to fulfill this till reinforcements can be gotten from Army A, and Army B was told to avoid risky battles.

Army C will march Westwards from Upenekang. During the rebuilding efforts of the town, engineers built a bridge in order to cross the Kwa Ibo River. The first target will be the small town of Nditia, but afterward similarly to Army B it'll just be a general push Westwards. However, Army C was instructed to secure its Southern flank prior to advancing further Westwards. However, as Army C plans to follow the roads more or less, eventually the Westwards push would eventually become a North-Westward one.

In addition, the offensives will be aided by air support. Similarly to the French campaign, a batch of the Orostani-based EE-4 Light Bombers and EE-2 fighters were brought over to the front. The EE-4 Light Bombers will conduct round the clock high-altitude bombings against enemy military positions.

OOC: Notes requested by Calindelo: Amongst the equipment sent to Kwa Ibo include 5K humvees, 15 Black hawks, 5 chinooks, 3 Mh-6 little birds, 25 BMPs, 5 PT-91 battle tanks, etc.

[Zackaroth]

Enwang

The HNA forces retreating from the CSN forces where not expecting a sudden push and the bombing run. Many where killed in the onslaught and none made it back to Enwang. However, the town was not completely unaware of what was going on. They had gotten calls from the forces of Jamestown that the French where beginning the assault. The bombing run made it obvious, along with lack of contact that Jamestown had fallen to enemy forces. The HNA suffered from believing it was a legitimate army and thus treated itself as such, allowing its vital areas to be bombed by French planes.

However, weeks of propganda where finally blooming. One of the bombing runs destroyed one of the three churches based in the city. Being rural and religious people this caused a panic. A video of the FSR constructing a new church was taken but HNA propagandists had done something sneaky. They played it back to its populace to make it look like the FSR was -deconstructing - the church. For the CSN this was stopping a deadly civil war. For the villagers of Enwang, this had become a holy war as they saw no difference between the FSR and CSN forces. They all sought to destroy the Christian Faith in Nigeria.

The HNA began arming the populace. Men, women, even children where given guns to prepare for the coming battle. Simply encircling the city would not be enough, they would have to fight for it. The HNA did have small mobile mortar launches. They began using these to harass the CSN forces surrounding Enwang as well as using sniping position for soldiers who got too close. However, they wouldn't leave the town, digging in instead.

Kano
Unlike the HNA, ICN buildings where not so easily identified. They purposely blended in and stuck themselves close to civilians. Like the Italians, the French fell into the same trap. They began their own bombing campaign, destroying areas heavily trafficked by civilians and ICN troops, killing a good amount of both. The city was once again on fire, but once again the ICN quickly organized an effort to calm the flames and rebuild.

Battle of Eket

The FSR forces made a very big error. Up until now, none of the towns taken by the CSN hadnot been very well defended. They where outlier posts. But Eket was a big city located on the artery of the Nigerian Highway. This was a city that was worth protecting and thus the FSR 50,000 troops slammed right into Eket's 30,000 troop garrison. Not only that but where as the HNA on the outer shell of Nigeria was lightly armed and not very experianced, those in Eket had served in many of the low scale African wars over the years, including the first Civil War. The bombing run alerted the HNA to the approaching force and they began to mobilize quickly and efficiently. While the FSR was far out volleys of rockets aimed at their forces came from RM-70s while artillery strikes from Palmaria's covered in as well. These vehicles kept moving, trying to keep away from any air bombing attempts.

If the FSR got closer the army itself would take up choke points within the city, once again trying to force the personal into close quarter combat and blunt the effectiveness of air strikes as to not cause friendly fire. Also surprisingly, the HNA had tanks it was able to grab once the official Nigerian army broke apart. T-72 battle tanks met some FSR troops while (ironically), outdated but still deadly French AMX-30s also appeared in the fight. The FSR was not blowing by this city. This would be one of the first true major battles of the war with the CSN.

[Arecla]

Kwa Ibo - Shipments

From the FSR mainland, several shipments of weapons were made onto Kwa Ibo. IFVs, SPGs, several SPAAGs and a few tank destroyers were amongst the main shipments. The new weapons will go on to reinforce Army Group A which is currently fighting at Eket. Crews for the equipment also came along. If necessary the troops would swap to avoid going over the CSN limit. The swapped troops would be relegated to non-combat roles.

OOC: As this is nowhere near a full post I assume that my right to response for Eket still isn't over

[Arecla]

Operation Ivy Garden (Part II)

The war in Nigeria was becoming increasingly dire for FSR forces as they brought the brunt of the HNA. In Eket, Army A recently got reinforcements of SPAAGs, IFVs, and tank destroyers. The IFVs and tank destroyers would be used fairly conventionally but the SPAAGs would not do their conventional role of striking aircraft. Instead, due to their high-intensity elevatable guns, they could be used to strike at enemy combatants hiding in buildings. Artillery near Eket would soon be getting guided munitions. In the air, bombing runs became ever more desperate, with the main targets being the mobile platforms which the HNA had such as their tanks, SPGs, and mobile rocket-launching systems. In order to minimize civilian casualties guided bombs were used. Somewhat controversially in the FSR's general staff, the use of guided cluster bombs against targets (like the CBU-105) like tanks was approved. In addition, additional goals include to stop or at least disrupt any new weapon shipments into the city, to support troops in the ground, and to hit at HNA positions. Leaflets were also dispersed throughout the town, briefly explaining the situation and urging civilians to flee. Although it's not expected for this to have much effect on the potentially radicalized population of Eket, it might help cut down on a few civilian casualties nonetheless. Meanwhile, Army A sought to follow its original plan to flank the city counter-clockwise. There it is expected that the outlier portions of the city would be less heavily defended.

On the other hand, Army C hadn't encountered much resistance so far. The town of Nditia was taken without much resistance, though the populace was at first afraid of the coalition force and kept throwing objects such as small stones at the troops. Nevertheless, the town was soon pacified. Army C would continue to advance along a broad front stretching Southwards till the coast, though the distribution of troops wouldn't be equal among the entire frontline, instead favoring placing more troops near towns and roads. Two towns were set as targets to be captured, Ikot Abasi and Ikot Akpaete.

Similarly, Army B hadn't faced a significant battle so far. However, in the wake of the Battle of Eket, their goal was shifted from a general push Eastwards to more of a Northward one. Thus Army B would be temporarily split into two, Army BI which would consist of nine thousand troops and Army BII which would consist of a thousand troops. Army BI would do a general push northwards, with Efoi designated as a target to be captured. Army BII would protect the Eastern flank of Army BI but would continue their Eastwards push if it was still viable. Army BII was also instructed to capture the small settlement of Ntete if possible.

[New Metropolitan France]

CSN forward command post, Jamestown

The main roads through the town were being flooded with army regulars, material, and armored vehicles moving inland as the NAF forces continued to unload on the beach. The noise of helicopters evacuating wounded to a hospital ship could be heard over the traffic, as could the loud report of six 120mm towed mortars which had begun firing on Enwang. The mortars were acting as artillery support to the advancing armor and troops, being guided by GPS and drones and were statistically known to land their guided projectiles within a few meters of the target. Meanwhile fires which had started in the bombed out remains of a small number of buildings in Jamestown were being combated by a few of the Confederation non-combatant personnel, while additional medical and food supplies were requisitioned from Forcados for both the troops and civilians. A perimeter fence was also being constructed in case any surviving forces attempted to launch a counterattack on the town now serving as a vital beachhead for the American and French members of the CSN Coalition. Commanders from the later had already assembled a basic command post in a fortified building in the town center, and were in the process of forwarding new satellite and drone intelligence from strategists and analysts on the Super Carrier New Republic to the officers leading the advance and fighting near Enwang.

ATTN French Confederation officers, Command orders forward armor units to avoid engaging at Enwang, repeat; avoid engaging at Enwang. Securing bridge is primary priority. Artillery and air support will be available.

Enwang

Each of the six mortars back in Jamestown were dropping around 8 shells per minute on the edges of Enwang to provide support for the ground forces; 4 fired around the town's flanks where the encircling pincers were moving forward, and the remaining two firing at each side of the bridge to turn it into a deathtrap for any enemy forces who might try and approach it to sabotage it. The encirclement of the town by troops and vehicles would be hastened by their exploiting the partially deforested land around the town to advance quickly around it while retaining some level of cover. While the rest of the army continues their efforts to isolate Enwang from the outside world, four main battle tanks and five AFVs are assigned to capture the bridge as ordered by Command, and they begin to accelerate towards the target at their fastest possible speed for the terrain by breaking off from one of the pincers going around the town. If/When they arrive at the bridge, the tanks would fire on any defensive emplacements, vehicles, or troops who might have endured the mortar blasts (who would obviously adjust their fire so as to not hit the friendly forces), while three AFVs without hesitation drive into the water and cross using their amphibious abilities (which do not require any preparation - can be utilized immediately). As they cross, their crew would try and assess whether the bridge was compromised in any way, and then once on the opposite bank (hopefully cleared of hostiles by the mortar or air attack) set up defensive positions. At the same time the other two AFVs who had remained on land would deploy a team of combat engineers as well as ground troops to occupy the bridge. Meanwhile, two of the Rafales who had earlier (in previous post) been assigned to air patrol in case any enemy artillery attempted to fire on the landing zone are instructed to bomb any Nigerian attempt to reclaim the bridge.

Back at Enwang, the flood of coalition forces would be continuing to arrive and strengthen the encirclement. The encirclement pincers would stay out of range of any of the town's lesser weapons where possible, but any longer range weapons that open fire on them would be immediately returned fire by the coalition's tanks and manportable mortars.

No troops would have yet entered the town itself, aside from the troops at the bridge (which is sparse of buildings).

Above HCN territory

By now, it was expected the HCN would be attempting to provide some level of reinforcement to their forces near the NAF-NMF offensive. They had benefited from the element of surprise thus far, but that would not be so now. As a consequence, satellites, drones, and aircraft continue to monitor the roads and main supply arteries of the HCN leading towards Enwang. Should any large-scale movement be reported, it would be forwarded to the attention of the Commander in Chief of the French Confederation's CSN Naval Task Force in the main command and control room on the New Republic. If legitimate, the carrier would authorize the immediate launch of low-observable cruise missiles from some of the fleet's frigates. With a range of 620 miles, the missiles would aim to further complicate, disrupt, and confuse the enemy's communication and responses. In addition to this, every mortar seen opening fire on the allied troops would be assigned for drone strike.

Diplomatic news: French Confederation warns that their offer for negotiation has still not received any response.

[Bendicion]

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Avanroa Eagle News Network is a news network based in Melbourne Australia. The news agency is the 2nd top-grossing news agency in Australia and employs 2,000 employees and staff. The agency is ranked as one of the most unbiased networks in the globe and has significantly given out high-quality content as of late. Although relatively young, the agency builds cooperative collaborations with well known Australian agencies for better quality news

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Australian forces launch Operation Genesis
January 19 | Leila Morris

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A MQ-1A Predator being prepared prior to the start of 'Genesis'

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FORCADOS - The Australian military and naval contingents of the CSN front proceeded to attack the nearby towns of the Kantu region, on the opposite banks of Forcados. The attack was a small offensive made after weeks of reconnaissance and scouting with RHIB boat personnel. Although the three towns are considered insignificant compared to CSN victories in Southern Nigeria, one of the towns is vital to the Forcados' perimeters continued operation as it holds a flow station, necessary for water supply.

The attack happened early on the morning of January 19 at around 3:00 AM Australian Time . 8 unmanned Predator drones wiith air-to-surface AGM-114 Hellfire missiles launched an attack on the town with the flow station, codenamed "Genesis", while RHIB boats in the Forcados River gave heavy MG suppressing fire for the amphibious landing to the 10 Infantry Company of 80 troops of A-Team on the nearby town to the southeast and troops of the 12th Company of about 90 troops of B-Team in the small strip of forested area between "Genesis" and Yokri Egbe. Meanwhile as the attack commenced, Scouting RHIB boats on the nearby town of Yokri Egbe along with aerial footages of drones caught massive HNA activity as the images showed local militiamen going in several military trucks and technicals. About 16 RHIB boats participated in the initial attack,

At 4:15 AM the predator drones were ordered to return back to base, and a small amphibious landing of 500 soldiers of the 1st and 7th Infantry Companies of the 6th MIB landed, either aboard the 10 amphibious Williams' and 20 RHIB boats were sent in from the Canberra-class LSD in several waves to mount a successful beachead. The 1st Infantry Company of 100 soldiers and 2 Williams tanks arrived unopposed and made a defensive line for the supposed beachhead, while 7th arrived a little later with 100 men and 3 Williams tanks. With further landings to the east to try and flank the concentrated HNA forces inside the town by the 8th and 6th Companies of about 250 men and 10 Williams tanks.

Meanwhile allied artillery support as well as the presence of the Northcott guided missile destroyer,ANS Northcott, gave the landing forces confidence of heavy artillery support, while predator drones overhead gave precision gun runs as HNA troops closed in onto the beacheads.

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Above, Operation Genesis overall attack on Kantu region
Below, the supposed detailed attack plan of the Australian offensive on "Genesis" town

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||4 dead, 18 wounded on initial assault || 2 Predators downed || Japanese and Australian artillery still on standby|| RHIB boats working round the clock to provide heavy suppressing fire

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All rights reserved Bendicion

[Zackaroth]

Battle of Eket

Though on paper it seemed the HNA and FSR forces where evenly matched, that was not the case. The HNA could not get supplies quickly enough from other areas of Nigeria as they lacked any real airforce and removing troops from one city may leave it vulnerable to another attack. Add that into the constant attacks of the ICN, the HNA force currently fighting the FSR in Eket was all there was. But it didn't mean they where not going down without a fight.

The air raids began crippling their attempts to strike at the FSR from a distance and their tanks, while deadly, had none of the armor or protection of the upgraded tanks the FSR and CSN forces had. However, it became apparent the FSR was attempting to skirt around the city, using the sparse outer city as a way to avoid a street to street fight. Snipers based in buildings as well as smaller, hand held mortars constantly fired into what was basically an open field, trying to destroy any cover and kill as many FSR troops before they could encircle the city or get by it.

Meanwhile, the FSRs push by Army C was meeting little resitance. Both Ikot Abasi and Ikot Akpaete would have small garrisons of HNA troops but nothing to constitute a major threat. The major issue Army C would face would be the mining and destruction of the roads meant to impede their progress and kill unwary troops. Small jungle ambushes where common as well but not to the degree imposed on the the Spanish.

Army B1 would encounter an HNA army that was preparing to flank the army attacking Eket in a pincer move. Only made of 500 men, meant more as a disruption force then a true pincer, the FSR troops would be easily able to surpise them and over run their postion in the town. B2 would not really find much resitance. Instead it would be all jungle. HNA patrols would attempt to ambush them but unlike the Spanish attempt, there was no concrete support network for them to operate. They would capture the small village with no issue but would find themselves deep in the Nigerian jungle.