The Shahita Emergency
"My family has shed much blood for this land. If it means living free of chains, we are prepared to shed much more."- Agustín Amengual,
Leader of the Brigada del Escudo de Salmedina
⍟ The Situation ⍟
I.Shahita. A populated island barely 600 miles from mainland San Mazer. For centuries it has continuously exchanged hands between rival powers, each brutal skirmish leaving a fresh scar on the storied history of its blood-drenched soil. For the international community, the debate was thought to have been settled in the summer months of 1985 during the Shahitan War. With the collapse of the Kingdom of Wallcia's Empire (which previously administered the island as an overseas territory) threatening to plunge the island into lawless chaos, the military junta of San Mazer was forced to step-in to protect the island's significant San Mazerian population.
The San Mazer military intervention was swift, bloody but decisive with Wallcian remnant forces and local groups being defeated in a rapid campaign. However, unable to seize the island under direct rule due to the protests of the local Shahitan majority and Wallcian minority, the San Mazerian government established an autonomous region bringing together prominent politicians from all three major groups. It would have its own parliament, own laws and would handle most devolved matters with the exception of defense and foreign affairs. Known locally and internationally as the "Shahita Triumvirate", this government was officially christened "The Autonomous Republic of Shahita". For two decades, it kept an unstable peace between a diverse and divided island, but such a hastily erected institution can only survive so long.
In 2015, the 6th parliamentary election took place with Shahitan nationalist parties winning a slim but clear majority for the first time. Esterio remained silent, until, in a surprising move and after years of rumours, Sarwan Gurusaran (leader of the nationalist "Shahitan Forward Front") announced a referendum on Shahitan independence. Facing opposition from the San Mazer government, anti-nationalist Shahitans and the combined protests of the Mazerians and Wallcians, Gurusaran was nonetheless unfazed and planned to go ahead with the vote. A divisive and toxic referendum campaign followed for the next few months.
On the 21st of May, 2016, the vote went ahead across Shahita. Despite San Mazer already declaring the referendum illegal and drafting in numerous federal and military police officers to detain the ringleaders of the movement, many still took to the streets and polling stations in defiance of the law. Those opposed to independence, initially vowing to stay at home and not take part in "an illegal referendum", formed counter-protests and clashed with independence supporters. After three days of violent protests which left two dozen dead and 3,000 more injured, the San Mazer government saw it had no choice but to dissolve the Shahitan parliament and order the immediate arrest of Gurusaran.
A year later, the snap elections called by Esterio had gone ahead. This time without the outlawed SFF as another Shahitan party, the status-quo supporting "Democratic Party of Shahita" had taken its place as the representatives for the Shahitan people. Outside the walls of the capital building though, the story was very different. The SFF still retained widespread support in Shahitan population centres and the other parties began to increasingly disregard the parliament. With paramilitary groups growing in number and the island being divided street-by-street, many feared it was only a matter of time until the inevitable occurred.
From summer 2017 to the present day, numerous terrorist attacks begun to occur in Shahita and mainland San Mazer, culminating in a deadly rush-hour suicide bombing on the Esterio Metro that killed 94 people, the attack believed to have been perpetrated by radical elements of the SFF. Outraged, President Alvarado demanded the immediate cessation of the SFF's armed campaign or martial law would be hastily be put in place. There was no reply. At the stroke of midnight on the following evening, the local police forces of Shahita were forced under the full jurisdiction of the federal police and the garrisoned forces of San Mazer began setting up checkpoints and enforcing a curfew. The fuse on the Shahitan powder keg had been lit.
However, by then, it was already too late. Gurusaran had already been laying the foundations for his "glorious struggle" for independence, and just as soon as the first San Mazer troops took to the streets, he ordered his plans into action. Local national guard and police units, those composed primarily of nationalist Shahitans, defected to the SFF's cause. In the hills, villages, towns and cities, the preparing cells of the SFF's paramilitaries, militias and other armed groups sprung into action and begun seizing local government offices and police stations. Addressing Shahita from a stormed television studio, Gurusaran announced that the "Republic of Shahita" was now free from San Mazer's control.
With San Mazer and Gurusaran's followers now in armed confrontation, it was only a matter of time until the other parties were involved. The local Mazerians, proud of their ancestry and fearful of backlash against their communities in the aftermath of a San Mazerian defeat, took up arms to join their old brothers in the struggle. The Wallcians, the underrepresented minority of old colonial masters, were similarly fearful of Shahitan victory but also opposed San Mazer rule which had forced Shahitans and Mazerians into government alongside them. Seeking their own form of independence, they banded together and prepared for war.
With the battle lines drawn, the sides prepared and the stage set for another bloody chapter in Shahita's history, how much blood will be spilled before peace can be achieved?
II.1589 - Shahita is discovered by explorers from the Empire of Montelorrca.
1623 - The first colony on the island, Santa Fernando, is established. It is known as "Velan" by native Shahitans.
1658 - A two-year war is fought between Montelorrcan colonists and Shahitan natives. A major temple in the Shahitan culture, located in present-day Kuda, is sacked and looted.
1703 - Santa Fernando is bombarded by a Wallcian fleet during the War of Three Fronts. An invasion of the island is repelled and it remains a part of the Montelorrcan Empire.
1734 - A major slave revolt is squashed by the colonial militia. The day is still commemorated by Mazerians and Shahitans on the island, for opposite reasons.
1779 - Wallcian Royal Marines storm Santa Fernando during the Eight Years War and successfully captured the city's fort. The island is ceded to the Kingdom of Wallcia at the end of hostilities.
1781 - A colony is established by the Wallcian Empire at Port Albert, which goes on to become Shahita's largest city and capital.
1815 - San Mazer gains independence from Montelorrca with the assistance of Wallcia. Trade between San Mazer and Shahita island is established during this period.
1861 - A trade war between San Mazer and Wallcia escalates into all-out war. Despite Wallcian naval superiority, the island is seized by San Mazer troops and local colonists, being ceded to San Mazer in a hasty peace treaty.
1899 - The San Mazer government encourages emigration to Shahita to fuel the island's promising industrial development.
1924 - A naval skirmish occurs between San Mazerian and Wallcian ships off the coast of Shahita in the "Aparicio Affair". Two Wallcian cruisers are a damaged whilst a destroyer is sunk. Meanwhile, the San Mazerians lose two destroyers and a heavy cruiser is crippled. Both sides place trade sanctions on each other as relations fall to dangerous lows.
1939 - Taking advantage of a period of San Mazerian political turmoil, Wallcian troops occupy Shahita under the guise of a peacekeeping mission. The territory is de-facto considered part of the Wallcian Empire and the international community ignores San Mazerian protests.
1954 - A joint rebellion by Mazerians and Shahitans is put down by Wallcian troops and the Shahitan colonial government. 10,000 innocents are interred in holding camps whilst around 300 Shahitans and Mazerians are executed for their part in the rebellion.
1971 - A San Mazerian Mirage III is intercepted and shot down by Wallcian Phantoms in the sea off Shahita. Both sides dispute whether it was in international airspace or Shahitan airspace as they are brought almost to the brink of war.
1985 - The Shahitan War. Economic turmoil in Wallcia emboldens local Mazerian and Shahitan rebels to launch an attempt to seize the island. San Mazer, awaiting an opportunity to reclaim the island, declares its support for the rebels and invades. The combined San Mazerian and Shahitan rebels quickly evict the Wallcian military and a naval task force sent by Wallcia to re-take the island is defeated. 20,000 troops on all sides perish during the conflict, along with 3,500 civilians. As a result, Shahita is ceded by Wallcia back to San Mazer.
1986 - The Shahitan Autonomous Republic is established by San Mazer occupational troops after protests by Shahitans and Wallcians opposed to direct rule. Representatives from all three groups are chosen to lead a joint government.
1997 - A Shahitan football team, Port Albert AFC, wins the San Mazer Football Cup as a rank outsider. The moment is a defining social and political event and an important chapter in the relationship between Shahita and the mainland. The team quickly become media darlings and use their position to highlight problems in Shahita.
2003 - Gurusaran becomes leader of the SFF.
2015 - The 6th parliamentary election takes place. The SFF win a majority and announce plans for a referendum.
2016 - The referendum goes ahead, despite opposition from San Mazer and opposition parties. Dozens are killed and thousands injured in the unrest that follows, leading to the Shahitan devolved government being dissolved. The federal police are deployed to take control of law and order in Shahita.
2017 - The SFF begins an armed campaign of resistance against San Mazer.
2018 - A rush-hour suicide bombing in San Mazer's capital, Esteiro, kills 94 innocent civilians. After an ultimatum by the San Mazer government for Gurusaran to turn himself in to federal police and surrender is ignored, martial law is declared in Shahita.
The Sides
San Mazer and Allies
I.
The armed forces of San Mazer, divided between the Army (Ejército de Tierra), Navy (Armada de San Mazer), Air Force (Ejército del Aire) and Marines (Infanteria de Marina). A reserve National Guard and Coast Guard also exists. Currently has around 25,000 loyal but outnumbered troops already in-theatre on the island of Shahita, with more reinforcements en-route in the coming weeks. Primarily a conventional military, with a healthy mix of modern and older equipment in some regiments. Most troops are trained and acclimatised to the tropical, jungle terrain of both San Mazer and Shahita. The Commander-in-Chief is Miguel Alvarado, President of San Mazer, although the current Supreme General of the Army is Matías de la Cruz.
NOTE: The following is a catch-all reference list of San Mazerian armed strength and does not necessarily mean all will end up deployed to Shahita.
Active Strength: 310,000
Reserve Strength: 1,600,000
Ground Equipment:Ground Vehicles:
- L-45 Tactical Sidearm
- Beretta M9A1 Sidearm (Reserve or Limited Use)
- SG P250 Sidearm (Military Police)
- IMBEL A2 Assault Rifle
- SG 550 Assault Rifle (Alpine Regiments)
- FN FAL Service Rifle (Reserve)
- HK33 Service Rifle (Reserve)
- MP5 Submachine Gun
- MP7 Submachine Gun
- Benelli M4 Shotgun
- FN Minimi LMG
- PGM 338 Sniper Rifle
- SSG 3000 Patrol Sniper Rifle (SF-use)
- Milkor MGL Grenade Launcher
- AT4 Launcher
- MILAN Launcher
- L16 81mm Mortar
Air Vehicles:
- 380 LY4A1 Wolfhound MBT
- M60A3 Patton MBT (National Guard and Reserve Use)
- 311 EE-11 Urutu APC
- 250 VBTP-MR Guarani IFV/APC
- M113 APC (National Guard and Reserve Use)
- 200 M90A3 IFV
- AAVP-7A1 Amphibious Assault Vehicle
- 80 Boerboel MARS Armoured Car
- 5 Boerboel 120 Armoured Car/Mortar Carrier
- 8 Boerboel 81 Mortar Carrier
- 20 M90VCPC Command Vehicle
- 50 M90VCC Reconnaissance/Calvary Scout
- 20 M90HMSL AA Vehicle
- MIM-104 Patriot SAM System
- M109A6 Paladin SPG
- Mercedes-Benz Atego Truck
- Unimog 4x4
- Iveco LMV
Naval Strength:
- 140 FB18 Raider Attack Aircraft
- A-4 Skyhawk (Limited Naval Use and Reserve)
- Super Etendard (Limited Naval Use)
- 130 Dassault Rafale Fighter
- 70 F-16C Multirole Fighter
- 50 F-15C Fighter
- 38 F-15E Strike Aircraft
- 40 C-130J Cargo Aircraft
- 4 KC-10 Aerial Tanker
- 5 E-3F AWACS Aircraft
- AS532 Cougar Helicopter
- EC725 Caracal Helicopter
- 20 AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopter
- AH-6/MH-6 Little Bird Scout Helicopter
- 10 EADS Harfang UAV
- 6 Mirage IV Bomber (Reserve)
- 38 AV-8B Harrier II VTOL Aircraft (Naval Aviation)
- 2 Aircraft Carriers - 1x 100,000 tons "SMS Palacios", 1x 30,000 tons "SMS Pastrano" (Inactive in Reserve Fleet)
- 3 Amphibious Assault Ships - 2x 31,000 tons "SMS Salantera" & "SMS Zalla", 1x 22,000 tons "SMS Taguna"
- 2 Dock-landing Ships - "SMS Remegio" & "SMS Salazar"
- 4 Nuclear-Attack Submarines (5,500 tons) - "SMS Esmeralda" "SMS Tiburón" "SMS Barracuda" "SMS Amatista"
- 9 Guided Missile Destroyers (9,100 tons) - "Benido-class"
- 7 Multi-purpose Frigates (4,600 tons) - "Espinar-class"
- 3 Corvettes (2,200 tons) - "Hurtado-class"
- 25 Patrol Vessels
- 3 Tankers
- 21 Auxiliary Vessels
II.
The "Grupo Especial de Operaciones" is the paramilitary force of the "Policía Federal de San Mazer" and the main form of law enforcement on the island of Shahita until more troops can arrive from the mainland. Deployed in strength since 2016, the men and women of the force are overstretched and worn thin from constant policing and a hostile local population. The unit possesses equipment ranging from sidearms all the way up to assault rifles and battle rifles and gets much of its equipment from surplus military stocks. There are currently around 20,000 officers deployed to the island, major HQs being in Port Arthur, Palpat, Velan and Verala.A federal officer on-guard outside Palpat International Airport (2017)
Equipment: SSG 550, AR15, FN FAL, MP5, MP7, SSG 250, Mossberg 500, MSG90, Glock 17, Beretta M9
Vehicles: UH-60 Blackhawk, Various assorted patrol cars and lightly armoured trucks/SUVs, several river-based patrol boats.
III.
An unofficial pro-San Mazer paramilitary force operating in areas composed mainly of Mazerians. Led by Agustín Amengual in the city of Palpat, the group is highly decentralised and each "district" operates effictively independent from higher command unless directed in larger operations. Officially declared a terrorist group by San Mazer, the group had many high-profile members within the Shahitan government and security forces generally turn a blind eye due to pro-San Mazer acts and sentiments. Some districts are notorious for their highly racist attitudes towards Shahitans and Wallcians. Current membership is unknown, but estimates range from anywhere between 30,000 to 100,000.
Equipment: AR15, FN FAL, HK33, MP5, Glock 17, SSG 250, Captured Equipment
IV.
Shahitans who, for personal loyalty or political reasons, have sided with the San Mazer government and refused to defect to Gurusaran's new state. Largely unorganised and informal, the anti-Gurusaran resistance is led by senior politicians in the Democratic Party of Shahita and traces its origins to pro-party paramilitaries formed in the political turmoil of the referendum and dissolution of the Shahitan parliament. Membership estimates range from 25,000 to 40,000.
Equipment Used: AR15, AKM, MP5, M9, Bolt-Action and Hunting Rifles, Scavenged and Captured Weapons
Republic of Shahita and Allies
I.
The armed forces of Gurusaran and his breakaway nation. Primarily composed of defected Shahitan soldiers in service with San Mazer, local law enforcement, militias and sympathetic Mazerians and Wallcians attracted to his cause. Extensively utilises captured San Mazerian equipment as well as scavenged local weaponry and vehicles. Command structure and organisation is still relatively lacking due to recent formation, so is primarily focusing on building strength and holding ground to force a San Mazer surrender. Gurusaran is active in seeking foreign support, material or other wise. Current force strength is hard to determine, though with large areas of Shahita under control, it is believed to be highly substantial.
Equipment Used: Captured and defected San Mazerian weaponry as well as scavenged local guns.
II.
The armed wing of Gurusaran's political party, the SFF, and considered separate from the Shahitan rebel army. Highly fanatical, political and dedicated to Shahitan independence. Was responsible for the swathe of terror attacks that have struck Shahita and San Mazer since the referendum. Operates largely independently of Shahitan control and answers mainly to Gurusaran and high-ranking SFF politicians. Also includes Gurusaran's personal guard. Highly popular amongst younger Shahitans. Strength unknown.
Equipment Used: Captured and defected San Mazerian weaponry, AKM, Bolt-action rifles, RPD, PKM, RPG-7
Wallcian Minority and Allies
I.
A paramilitary grouped formed to protect the interests of the Wallcian minority on the island. Now battling its own independence campaign against San Mazer, or at least for full autonomy free from sharing power with Shahitans and Mazerians. Is not to be underestimated and has several well-connected senior figures. Has between 25,000 and 40,000 members distributed evenly between the major Wallcian population centres of Port Arthur and Greater Palamaran.
Equipment Used: L1A1, Sterling SMG, L7 LMG, Bren Gun, AKM, AR15, Captured San Mazer/Civilian weaponry.
IIThe Knights during the Shahitan War (1985)
An elite and professional paramilitary group created by the Wallcian military during the Shahitan War. Even after the San Mazer victory, the group went underground and continued to operate. Made up of former Wallcian special forces as well as regular troops, the group is considered extremely dangerous and influential, being hunted by law enforcement for decades to little success. Wanted for connections to war crimes during the war and terrorist attacks after, the group is believed to receive outside support but this cannot be confirmed. Strength unknown.
Equipment Used: Unknown, believed to use Wallcian arms, imported weaponry and captured local equipment.
The Island
I.
BLUE lines depict Shahitan frontlines and everything behind is considered their occupied territory.
RED lines depict San Mazerian frontlines and everything behind is considered their occupied territory.
YELLOW lines depict Wallcian frontlines and everything behind is considered their occupied territory.
Velan is the largest city fully under Shahitan control and is considered Gurusaran's provisional capital.
Verala is another large city under control of the Shahitans. The Wallcians have made an effort to cut it off and lay siege.
Port Arthur is still largely under San Mazerian control, but is cut off by land from the rest of the Mazerian regions of Shahita. Parts of the city, Shahita's largest, are divided between Shahitans and Wallcians, however the airport, port, consular zones and major buildings are under San Mazer's control.
New Fanahan, a small city on Shahita's northern coast and home to a Coast Guard station is under siege by Shahitan forces and loyalist troops are heavily outnumbered.
Shahitan troops are blocked from crossing two valuable crossing points: the Gordon Dam and the Cochrane Bridge.
The small city of Idam is held by Shahita and holds out against Wallcian siege. Shahitan reinforcements are attempting to break the siege by attacking over the Wallcian hilltop defences.
II.
- Population: The island has a population of roughly 28 million citizens, of which the number is divided between 54% Shahitan, 22% Mazerian, 18% Wallcian and 6% of assorted other nationalities. The largest city, Port Arthur, has a population of around 4.4 million with other major cities including Palpat, Verala and Velan (all of which have a population of over 500,000).
- Economy: The island has a heavily tourism-based economy, with Port Arthur and Velan in particular, being major tourist destinations all year-round. Hotels, bars, casinos and theme parks are common as well as docks for visiting cruise ships. The rest of the economy is primarily based on natural resources and agriculture. The valleys around the northern lakes are prime rice-farming territory, and a host of other crops are grown across the island. The forestry and mining industry is also extremely important and makes up a large percentage of exports.
- Topography and Climate: Shahita is a relatively hilly and mountainous island, with steep ridgelines and valleys dominating much of the island's interior. The most impressive feature is the Mattval Mountain Range, which runs from roughly the centre to the south west, effectively dividing the island between west and east and making the movement of large numbers of troops to be difficult to almost impossible in some stretches. As such, most road travel between the halves of the island is directed over the less steep portions near Fort Cameron or over the Gordon Dam and past Vilanaga, making these important strategic locations. The island flattens out in several regions though, particularly in the south eastern plains near Greater Palamaran and in the south west in the Baedaval Basin.
Climate-wise, Shahita is diverse due to the shielding of the mountains and the differing elevations. Most of the island, however, is home to dense tropical rainforest and swampland (particularly Baedaval Basin) whilst there is an extensive Alpine region in the Mattvals and a cooler, more temperate south-eastern plains. The average daytime temperature is around 29° C and the island sees a lot of rain, particularly during hurricane season.
Rules
- Strictly no metagaming, powergaming or godmodding under any circumstances.
- Be realistic. I cannot stress this enough. This RP is an attempt at simulating a relatively low-scale conflict with a high degree of complexity in the factions and peoples involved. There will be no titanic clashes comparable to a world war. Deployments will be limited and the scale and power of deployed forces will be appropriate to the conflict. No million man invasion forces to instantly end the conflict. Logistics, communications and intelligence, morale and the like should be kept in mind when planning operations.
- Diplomacy can be just as important as military action. Also expect some brief diplomacy before you deploy to the island.
- My word and of that of any Co-OPs is considered law. Respect that, although I will try my best to be respectful and understanding.
- No WMDs. This includes nuclear, chemical or biological weapons. They may be used as threats or bargaining tools in extreme circumstances, but none will be used.
- Please make an effort with IC posts. At least five decently written paragraphs as a bare minimum and no one-liners. Not everyone is a highly skilled RPer, but effort is appreciated. I also understand people have lives and interests outside NS, so I won't be too strict on inactivity time limits, however twice a week is the accepted minimum. If you end up too busy to meet this, please let us know and we will be understanding.
- On a similar note, please make an effort with grammar and spelling. Not everyone is a native English speaker or literary genius, but poor writing can be a valid reason for rejection.
- MT only, so no PMT or FT tech or nations will be permitted.
- Neutral nations may enter as observers or partake in non-conflict interaction on the island such as humanitarian aid, journalism or the like.
- If you take part in any substantial degree in the emergency, you will take losses. There are no such things as invincible armies in real war.
- Be civil and respectful in the OOC and consider the enjoyment of other players in the IC.
- Have fun! This is the most important rule!
The App
NOTE: Active applications are now CLOSED, however neutral and non-combat nations will still be considered.
NOTE: Active applications are now CLOSED, however neutral and non-combat nations will still be considered.
- Code: Select all
[b]Nation Name:[/b]
[b]Head of State:[/b]
[b]Type of Government:[/b]
[b]Side Supported:[/b] (San Mazer, Shahita, Wallcian minority, Neutral etc.)
[b]Initial ORBAT:[/b] (N/A if Neutral)
[b]Reason for Entry in the Crisis:[/b]
