The DRC Civil War(Democritus Only)

[Zackaroth]

The DRC Civil War

Emergence Update: The DRC Civil War has entered a new phase and most likely its last one. France has directly invaded the ICC's territory to protect its own interests in the CAR. This French invasion has made both the TDA and SRC worried. In a historic moment, the two allies decided to merge, under the SRC banner. With both armies now on the same page and sharing the same resources, they where able to link up and meet up in the middle of the country. The SRC now controls most of the inner country, making the HDMC's job much harder in trying to push them up. While the plan between the two forces was always to merge, it was predicted it would happen if the SRC won the civil war or was able to link up with the TDA more slowly. However, with fears of an actual French invasion, both sides have joined forces.

[The Union of British North America]

Operation Cyclone

With the situation in Central Africa entering a tense and precarious phase and the balance of power shifting in favor of the socialist insurgents and a possible humanitarian crisis due to a terrorist group on the horizon if not dealt with in a sweeping manner, Whitehall and the MOD agreed upon a campaign to kill two birds with one stone, as the expression goes. The Islamic Caliphate in the Congo region poses the most obvious, direct, and urgent threat to the safety of civilians and of broader global security against terrorism. Therefore, the United Kingdom will send a force of 20,000 infantry, light armored reconnaissance, and armored units to aid the French ground forces present there, via Bangui. A squadron of Tornado GR1 IDS will also assist to provide air support to the Anglo-French forces. The ICC will be in even greater dire straits. HM Government supports the Seventh Republic's manifesto and promises to ensure justice for those victimized by modern day slavery and human trafficking.

The other issue, the socialist insurgent group, has the potential of upsetting the balance of power among the great powers of the world in the long run. A group fighting the socialists, the HDMC, is holding out against the group but requires provisions, weapons, and other supplies to have better chances. SAS and SIS operatives in the region, with their European and other nationality counterparts, will initially aid the HDMC with several tons of provisions, about 200 Mk. III helmets, FN FNCs (200), FN FALs (500), and enough ammunition for three months. If need be, some more will be sent via airdrop or by convoy of neutral and friendly nations.

[New Metropolitan France]

Concurrent to these events:

The UK's forces are assigned an additional to target to that of the French; the province of Bas-Uele north of the river Uele. After helping the French troops securing the landing zone at Gbadolite, the British forces would be asked to advance along two axis; the N24 to Yakoma (and from there into Bas-Uele), and down the N24 in the opposition direction to Gemena.

In addition to the main force of Franco-British forces intervening in the DRC, Canadian forces join the effort; they are entirely dedicated to besieging Gemena ahead of the advancing French and British armies in the west and east.

Battle of Gemena, SEAD strike force and air support package

x12 UI-9M Multi-Role Fighters
x24 UI-22 Air Superiority Fighters
x14 A-10 Warthog's
x4 UI-24's (Electronic Warfare)
x8 F-16's
x2 E-111

As the Canadian aircraft move to suppress the enemy air defenses and destroy enemy strongpoints, more Canadian personnel including 1,600 Grenadiers and 150 commandos deploy by air a short distance from Gemena. From there, they will seek to begin to engage any ICC forces in the vicinity and begin to make progress as they await the French reinforcements expected to arrive after breaking out of Libenge beach-head. Consequently, Gemena would find itself under attack by ground and air from the Canadians in the opening hours of the invasion, and soon also be confronted by British coming down the N24 and French down the N6 in the near future, assuming the ICC is not able to slow the progress at the landing sites.

[NPC Controller of Zackaroth]

Battle of Libenge

Libenge would not be the easy beach head the French where expecting. Having to cross an island to the city, the ICC also where expecting the French would soon turn on them one day. The island itself, on the side near the city, was mined and also being watched. Should the French get around this, then on the beach head itself, machine guns would open fire on the French troops before retreating into the city to flee from airstrikes. The city was garrisoned by 500 men who all expected to die but where more then willing to do so. The real threat however came from the howitzer like artillery they had. Waiting till the initial bombings where over, the ICC forces brought out the artillery guns and began firing...but not at French forces but at the CAR city across the river, Mongoumba. They would try to pound the city into dust before another airstrike destroyed the guns and then move to using smaller, self propelled artillery weapons to attack the French invasion force.

Battle of Zongo

Zongo was heavily defended as well, with around 1500 troops stationed in the city and like Libenge, expecting a French attack. Only they where more quicker. Once hostile French action was detected, they used their artillery guns to fire across at the city of Bimbo and heavily damage the flank exposed to Zongo. They tried to fire at dense areas to cause as much chaos and destruction as possible before the French air strikes took out their guns.

The French force invading would face an array of machine guns and explosives, but no water mines. Instead, snipers and machine gun nests in the small, dense forest in northern Zongo provided great cover for them to flank the French forces.

Battle of Gbadolite

This battle went in a much different direction. The French forces moving across the river would have no issue crossing it as the city was too far away to attack them. However, the defense jungle would slow down heavy armored vehicles and allow them to be spotted by ICC Jungle scouts. From there, small ICC groups would attempt to ambush and trap French forces within the dense jungle, staying close to negate any air advantage but hidden and avoiding out right clashes. While the French forces did have experience in jungle warfare in East Asia, the ICC also had experience from years of fighting in Nigeria, CAR and the DRC itself. Many of them knew these jungles well from the battles with the HDA. Any their tactics got dirty, using squads of child soliders for the first time against a Western Power in this war in their hit and run attacks. The city itself was massive and boasted a defense of 1000 troops, as well as converted and planted sympathizers, making the city a hotspot if taken.

Gele

The French force invading Gele would find...nothing. No ICC scouts, no traps, not even a sign of human existence. There wasn't even a village. Just a large open clearing where a place called Gele was supposed to be. But once they began setting up camp, they would realize the horrible truth. Buried in large mass graves where victims of an Ebola outbreak. A large chunk of the area was contaminated with the victims. Amoung the dead where former HDA members, ICC members, and civilians. It seemed the ICC attempted to use the Ebola Outbreak as a crude bio weapon but instead only spread it across their territory...leaving the shape of the cities the French where invading up their imagination.

Battle of Sidi

Sidi went rather flawlessly for the French. The town only had a nominal defense, due to the Ebola Outbreak and while their was a defense put up, mostly machine guns from the river bank, the ICC quickly retreated. The town itself was half dead however, with the other half dieing. It was here the French would learn the second truth. The ICC had medicine and ways to slow or prevent the spread of Ebola among their own forces but civilians who did not join them or rebelled against them would find themselves out of luck if infected.

Battle of Gemena

The city itself was safe for now, but bombing runs did weaken the ICC's defenses but the large city was enough where they could hide and await the eventual invasion. The city was garrisoned by 2500 troops, each ready for the slaughter that was promised. The Coalition armies would have to enter the city itself for bombing runs to be anything more then random. The Canadian force would be awaiting the outcome in Libenege but the ICC wouldn't. Jungle fighting would erupt as ICC ambush parties, traps and even an attempt to try and use Ebola infected troops(they where willingly infected) to blunt and damage the incoming Canadians.

[NPC Controller of Zackaroth]

DRC Update 1: The final phase begins

The final phase of the DRC Civil War has begun. A French led coalition has begun an invasion of the ICC territory in its North Western territory in an apparent bid to stop the SRC from getting too close to the CAR. However, in a way this has allowed the SRC to push the ICC lines faster as their forces are forced to send renforcments to fight the French, allowing the massive SRC army to push harder and further. The ICC army was indeed pushed as the SRC began breaking down their lines with the back line of the ICC near Gemena and the SRC army only a few miles away. In other parts of ICC territory, the SRC managed to liberate Binga, Lisala and Bumba. Another battle seems brewing at Buta as the ICC army their digs in.

However on the southern front, the HDMC was able to rally itself again and committed a hard punch against the SRC, setting the battle lines to a similar postion that almost led to the HDMC's downfall months ago. Once again, the SRC has taken up position on the HDMC backline and is poised to attack. Its unknown how the HDMC will deal with this but they have more troops and supplies then last time so it will be interesting to see if they can stop the SRC surprise attacks and inevitable insurrection tactics. It will also be interesting to see how the SRC plays it hands and if it will indeed use the same tactics as before or try another attack instead.



Inside the Purple Lines: French Coaltion

Inside the Black Line: ICC

Inside the Green Line: SRC

Inside the Blue Line: HDMC

[New Metropolitan France]

Gbadolite

The Confederation commanders knew that the Seventh Republic had a single true goal in this invasion, and that while the publicly-announced anti-extremist campaign was certainly related to their main objective, it was not their primary concern. As such, Confederation troops landing at Gbadolite disregard ICC fighters in the jungle once the immediate forested areas around the town and landing zone are secured, and instead dedicate the entirety of their focus upon capturing the town itself. The troops would move quickly to secure the city if possible, treating any armed opposition the same as they had their enemies in the neighboring CAR. It was kill or be killed, and they knew this. News of the horrific sites encountered in Gele and Sidi were quickly passed to the frontlines troops, hardening their resolve. The ICC devils would fall, even if their methods of resistance became more and more brutal. Once the battle for Gbadolite was viewed as swinging in their favor, the British would be directed to race along the N24 to Yakoma (and from there into Bas-Uele) and down the N24 in the opposition direction to Gemena as originally planned. Their mission was to reach those targets as soon as possible and besiege them, while French troops followed behind to set up checkpoints and clear the forest immediately next to the roads to ensure supply lines could form and not be threatened. Again, however, the ICC would be allowed to retreat into the depths of the forest without being pursued so long as the landing zones and main roads fell to France.

Sidi

Evidence would be recorded of the horrific site at Sidi, before the troops advance on Dorudu, Ligwa, and Baya. If these could be achieved, they would then move south to Bili.

Libenge

The battle would be a bloody one, but was crucial to the success of the intervention. Furthermore, the bombing of Mongoumba would also be a travesty. As CNIP civil forces seek to evacuate civilians from Mongoumba and provide them with whatever aid they might require, French troops begin to use their own towed artillery and mortars against the defenders of Libenge immediately along the side of the river. This counter-artillery would be limited to the immediate edge of the town to prevent civilian losses, however drones would carry out precision bombing within strong-points detected within the town. Casualties would be far higher than anticipated, likely in the low hundreds, but Libenge was central to the success of the campaign and so officers would escalate the counter-barrage to a total bombardment if it appeared the town's defenders appeared in any danger of slowing progress for more than two days or if deaths reached more than one hundred and twenty. When Libenge inevitably falls, the first priority will be to advance towards Bingi, however aid from the CAR will also be distributed to Libenge.

Zongo

The city which had been the main reason for the intervention, out of fears that the SRC would defeat the ICC and then use it as a staging area to attack Bangui, now threatened nearby Bimbo's quarter of a million inhabitants. While the bombing of Libenge was a travesty, such a fate was unacceptable for the two largest cities in the entire country. Any area of Zongo which was used for artillery or mortar fire would be blasted from the air and by artillery without restraint. Were this to continue for more than two hours, the French were prepared to drop a single mid-yield thermobaric weapon (not big enough to damage the CAR though) in order to end the enemy bombardment of Bimbo. Once Zongo falls, Confederation forces will advance down the N23.

Gemena

1,750 elite Canadians faced down 2500 terrorists defenders. The odds were not completely in their favor, and the expected French advance down the N6 would likely be delayed due to the inspired resistance at Libenge. However, the British would hopefully make swift process down the N24 and join them. In spite of this, it was recognized that the longer the cavalry took to arrive the more chances at grinding down the Canadian advanced force the ICC would get. Consequently, 970 French paratroopers are deployed to join them - their landings should fair well as the Canadian airstrikes and SEAD mission should have already knocked out most air defenses in the area and they would land in Canadian-held areas out of range of sniper fire or disorganized rifle fire from the city. Meanwhile, once the French forces land, the airstrikes turn from enemy air defenses to the forested surroundings - destroying any cover that the ICC might try to use to flank the Franco-Canadian force on the ground. Knowing that this may come at the cost of their own cover, and now that the numerical ICC advantage had been negated somewhat, the army begins to besiege the city itself. They would first seek to enter from the south, capturing civilian buildings within Bokuda and then move to capture the airport.

Warning issued to SRC

The French Confederation hereby declares that any armed force, be they a national military, militia, or terrorist organization, will be fired upon if they attempt to cross into DRC territory within the province of Bas-Uele north of the river Uele, Sud-Ubangi north of a line fifteen kilometers south of Gemena, and all of Nord-Ubangi province. Breaches of this perimeter will be met with a proportional response by the coalition. Furthermore, it is noted that to date the Confederation has not fired a single shot against the SRC but that may change should this warning be ignored. The implication of this is that France will not open hostilities with them, nor seek to remove them from power in the rest of the DRC, if they do not enter this perimeter.

Air Campaign intensified

Throughout this invasion, the ICC would be allowed to flee into the jungle unchallenged so long as they did not prevent any meaningful risk to the advance of Confederation and British troops along the roads and in main centers. The reason for this would become clear; as roads were secured with checkpoints and small patrols from new garrisons, and the main forces rushed ahead to capture towns and cities within the announced perimeter, aircraft would begin to firebomb the forests the ICC hid within. They might escape the French ground forces, but would become trapped in the forests which were empty of civilians and thus of no concern to war crime legislation. The airstrikes would be supported by SEAD operations by electronic warfare planes.

[NPC Controller of Zackaroth]

Battle of Gbadolite

It was becoming clear what the French coalition was doing and the ICC began to change tactics immediately. ICC troops and French troops engaged in a viscous battle, that saw parts of the streets blocked off, various traps and even using human shields. The village small but was populous. This was made worse by the fact during the fighting the plantation fields to south east of the city erupted in violent flames. Dark smoke began to drift over the town, making close range and long range air support much more difficult and esnuring a future food crisis for the surronding areas. Added to this, multiple explosions could be heard farther away from the town. The ICC was blowing up the roads with TNT, creating large fissures and gaps that would slow troops down if they got past them. But the battle was not done yet, the ICC troops, alot of them children attacked the French forces with ferocity not seen since Nigeria. This attack was also filmed and streamed on the internet by ICC agents, showing French troops killing, admittedly armed, children. In either case it would be something hard for most normal people to stomach but the ICC used this as their propaganda advantage.

Battle of Libenge

The ICC would continue to bommbard Mongoumba, this time with smaller, hand held tube artillery. It limited the deadly attacks but still provided that fear factor. It was becoming apparent the ICC was doing everything it could to slow down the French advanced. Three small planes where taxied out from the near airport and placed on the road as if creating a blockcade...only to then violently explode, spraying hot jet fuel and destroying various parts of the road, as well as setting the nearby jungle on fire, making the road to Binji a large mess to clean up. The road towards Boyabo was also damaged heavily by TNT and then trapped with IEDs. While the French no doubt had methods to detect and protect against them, it would slow down their movement if they wanted to avoid suprises.

The shelling came to an end however as a large scale bombardment was unleashed on the city, destroying a good chunk of it and forcing the ICC to retreat into the jungle to harass and fight against Coalition forces from the shadows.

Destruction of Zongo

The battle of Zongo got more and more intense as the ICC was using the cities old ferry system to actually go out and confront French amphibious assault ships in the water, creating river battles the wider world had seldom seen before. They also kept up the artillery strikes on the city of Bangui, not heeding the French warning. Their destruction was alot more imminent then the one at Libenege. A 25 ton Thermobaric bomb was dropped on the city, exploding over it. The massive shockwave shatter nearly the entire city, throwing it into disarray, killing ICC and civilian alike. Almost no building escaped the blast and the city was caught in a massive fire afterwards. The intial death toll was expected to be over 1,000 deaths and the number of injured equal to that. This would increase more as the city had no functional emergency services and medical centers had mostly likely been destroyed by the blast.

This did not go unseen however. SRC propaganda agents where in the city and forced to leave as the fighting got worse. They caught the bombing on video and a few hours later caught the terrible aftermath of dead civilians and ICC troops alike. They caught the massive damaged inflicted and how the entire town was nearly bombed out. They would send this video to the SRC itself, spinning to show the French did not care about the civilian toll or dead, only that they where more concerned with cutting off the SRC. The video would also be sent to TeleSUR, so their supporters in South America could see what had happened.

Battle of Gemena

This would still be a tough fight. French Forces where advancing down the N23 but would still have to face several smaller cities and villages under ICC control before they could aid in Gemena and the N24 was still blocked by the forces in Gbadolite. French aircraft would bomb the surronding forested areas, creating large fires that created more harm then good, large trails of smoke making it harder for future attacks to hit directly but also providing the Coaltion and ICC with deadly cover. The French took a massive gamble by paratroopping in behind the ICC frontlines as they where engaged with the SRC. A massive push could create a whole chaotic situation. They pushed to the airport but where met with a surpise the ICC had been keeping for the SRC. Hidden in the hangars, 8 Russians made Hinds joined the battle and began to rain hell upon the advancing French forces. They moved quickly and fired often, staying low and staying close to the French so they would have to engage on the ground, and not in the air. No doubt the Hinds would eventually be destroyed but they would try to go out on their own terms, kamikaze into the French forces if possible.

Firebombing campgain

This had much the opposite intended effect the French had hoped for. While the firebombing campgain would be effective in stopping sudden ICC attacks, the forest fires where on nobodies side and would rage uncontrolled, putting smaller villages and even the Coaltions own attack force and checkpoints at risk as the ICC used the fires as cover to continue launching attacks. The fires where getting so bad they could be seen from space and drew comparison to the California Forest fires of years ago. Even if the French would try to put out the fires, it would take more then water drop planes to put them out and instead need a full firing fighting force..or prayers to hope they burned themselves out.

[NPC Controller of Zackaroth]

DRC Update 2: War

A tipping point has emerged as both the ICC and the HDMC suffered heavy losses in major battles across the DRC and the SRC crosses a line it had been told not to. Down south, the SRC and HDMC clashed once more. The SRC was able to manage a sudden push, creating a bulge as they took Mwene -Ditu. They hoped to cut off the HDMC forces in the Salient and allow their southern force to decimate them. This did not happen though because at the same time, the HDMC Salient force stood strong and beat back the SRC's forces. However in the end it was a vain effort as the SRC rallied and smashed the HDMC forces and then pushed even further, tearing apart the HDMC army and pushing closer then they had ever been to the HDMC capital Lubumbashi. The crushing HDMC defeat has drained most of the mercenaries they have hired and left them with very little supplies.

In the north, the SRC has completely disregarded the French demands and have launched a massive assualt, taking the city of Buta and involving itself in the rapidly escalating battle of Gemena. Infact the battle of Gemena is turning into a massive cluster as French forces currently engaging the city from its southern flank where being attacked by ICC Hind's when the SRC's sudden pushed forced the ICC frontline, and the SRC frontline to crash into the French assualt. Its unknown what will be the outcome of that battle. The CSN believes the SRC will outline its reasons for ignoring the French demands soon. It remains to be seen if the FSR itself will intervene in this war but it is noted they have a heavy presence in nearby nations.




Within the Purple Line: French coalition forces

Within the Black Line: ICC

Within the Green Line: The SRC

Within the Blue Line: HDMC

[Arecla]

Operation Lumumba

In Leticia, the coalition threat was viewed as baseless, noting the countless civilians the coalition had killed in their supposedly humanitarian invention. With the SRC having chosen to push forward, Leticia opted to fully support the SRC in their endeavor as well. The French usage of a thermobaric bomb at Zongo only further the solidified opinion, and soon the FSR would launch their own offensive against the ICC.

While originally two divisions were sent to Likouala to safeguard FSR interests, the French intervention led to a change of plans. The divisions sent to Likoula had been rerouted towards Binga, and additional reinforcements also had arrived. Alongside with additional weaponry and supplies, many additional aircraft were sent, including both fix-winged and rotorcraft aircraft. Oddly enough, despite the thick jungle terrain of the Congo the coalition hadn't seemed to utilize rotorcraft aircraft in large numbers, a trend which the FSR wouldn't break away from. While many of the additional aerial reinforcements were flown in from South America, many of them also came from Rwanda, where the FSR had built up their forces in the past due to the HFF threat. With the HFF gone, the FSR division could now be pulled up to the front with the ICC.

Near Binga, the two FSR divisions comprised of forty thousand troops would be racing against the coalition forces towards Gemena. While on paper the two forces were roughly equal, the FSR forces had the advantage that they were backed by SRC forces. And thus the FSR could afford to use their forces solely as spearhead units, which would help speed up progress. The coalition forces had also spread out their units and started further away from Gemena, which could potentially be critical in the race.

The FSR would try to perform a pincer attack in Gemena and encircle the city. Recon parties were sent ahead to scout for potential threats, and in anticipation for landmines, anti-mine plows were mounted on tanks and combat earthmovers. SRC forces would be tasked with covering the front and hunting down Islamic guerillas, to prevent them from tampering with the offensive or supply lines. Based upon on experience from Eket, FSR forces wouldn't try to encircle the city into submission, but would rather immediately launch a full-scale urban assault once the encirclement had been completed, with the SRC forces also continuing their own assault to keep pressure mounted on the ICC forces. Since ICC forces were likely stretched to their limits now that the Battle of Gemena started, the SRC would take advantage of it to try to secure as much land as possible.

While the main attack would be directed at Gemena, the FSR would also launch another attack from the recently captured city of Buta. In contrast to Gemena, only one as opposed two division would be available for the attack - which had been pulled up from Rwanda. However, it was believed the last major ICC stronghold in the East was captured, which would make future operations easier.

SRC agents would also undertake major propaganda efforts. The coalition tactics had already left many Congolese civilians dead, which was helping to turn public opinion against them. But then the coalition deployed a thermobaric bomb at Zongo. The SRC was quick to react to this. What happened at Zongo and the other war crimes the coalition committed would be widely publicized on the internet, radio stations, and in print media not long after the event. Images of the devastation and civilian deaths caused by the use of such tactics would be given to the international press and be used as propaganda against the HDMC, who had willingly sided with the criminal countries. Efforts were also taken to stir up socialist resistance in the unliberated territories of the Congo.

The coalition usage of thermobaric bombs against cities would also warner another reaction. South American air defense assets would also begin to pour into the SRC. While the SRC had already covertly received such assets in the past as donations, these new reinforcements would greatly bolster the state of the SRC's air defenses. Just like before, they would only be used in case of a coalition attack of SRC airspace.

[Puertollano]

lol tag

[Arecla]

Withdrawl

Following the French ultimatum, the socialist forces decided to withdraw from the demarcation line rather than risk conflict. As the withdrawal took place, civilians were given the option to evacuate into SRC territory if they wished to, and SRC propaganda once against restated that the French had no rights to the Congo. After the withdrawal, SRC and FSR forces would continue their offensives into ICC territory outside the demarcation line. Though while humiliating, the defeat wasn't a complete loss either.

[New Metropolitan France]

Bangui, CAR

Thanks to the swift and decisive bombing by the French Air Force, the CAR capitol had been saved from destruction, although there had been some minor damage. Loses in nearby Bimbo were more significant as they had been the ICC's initial target, but similarly the city was spared from being reduced to ruins. Video of the enemy artillery fire onto civilian housing in the city would be uploaded online and photos of the attacks and their aftermath would also be shown to highlight the horrific shelling prior to the approval of the retaliatory thermobaric strike. CNIP and French medics would help the wounded while emergency housing units are planned to be swiftly established to accommodate displaced persons. European soft loans and development aid from the DEU FAC have already been assigned to the reconstruction of the impacted neighborhoods and urban areas, spent under CNIP direction.

New checkpoints are put in place along the Ubangi river in order to prevent the spread of persons infected with Ebola into the CAR homeland, and treatment facilities are to be established within coalition-held areas of Nord-Ubangi, Bas-Uele, and Sud-Ubangi. Vaccines are also to be flown in from Europe to be administered to the most vulnerable. Travel from the former DRC provinces to the CAR, including from Zongo, would now be restricted and monitored closely. Any pro-ICC or SRC subversion agents would be turned away or detained, and what few were permitted to cross would be monitored closely with the right reserved to expel them should they breach terms of entry. In this sense, while they were now legally one nation, border security between the two regions has not been dropped at this early stage.

Gemena

The sudden arrival, then withdrawal, of the SRC and FSR would provide an opportunity for the Franco-Canadian paratroopers; by moving to encircle Gemena the FSR would have in effect cleared the vulnerable flanks of the advanced coalition foothold and thus allowing them a better opportunity to advance. The skies remained filled with Confederation and Canadian jets, meaning that air support was quickly at hand to dispatch any of the enemy helicopters that accidentally flew high enough to be taken out without risk of friendly-fire, but hand-held SAMs would be already within the inventory of the deployment. By sticking to the nearby housing districts, the helicopter attack would also hopefully be blunted by ramming only taking out the immediate proximity of a dwelling rather than hundreds of troops out in the open. This would also give more cover to the SAM operators, who could surprise the enemy pilots by firing from different positions and with a clear vista of the airfield. Once the airport could finally be secured, the coalition forces would turn their attention to the area of the city east of the N6's southern branch. If that area of housing could be secured, the southern third of the city would be in their hands, leaving the north and west to the British and French reinforcements when they arrived. The attack on the airfield had caused casualties of the French team to rise worryingly, so a new team of British soldiers skilled in urban warfare is also dropped in to support their advance. This would further entrench their numerical parity and also perhaps give them some form of edge in terms of combat skill in the urban setting.

Nord-Ubangi, Gbadolite zone

With the end of the socialist threat, time was no longer of any concern to this front. Instead of rushing along the N24 to the east into Bas-Uele, the advancing forces would adopt a more measured and cautious advance. They could take the time to disarm traps and strike enemy hot-spots identified by drones or smaller advanced patrol parties using artillery. In spite of this, the advance along the southern N24 branch would remain as fast as reasonable as armored units seek to besiege first Molegbe, and then advance to the crossroads north of Businga (would not approach Businga, crossroads would be only target). There would be a lot of road to cover to reach that far, but due to the lack of major settlements on this stretch there would be no protracted urban sieges, only a question of clearing the road of obstructions and facing any ICC forces in the jungle surrounding the road. In order to achieve this without leaving the road an exposed artery for a ICC force to cut through, more fires would burn to deforest the areas immediately adjacent to the road. Suggestions that the smoke may make the aerial bombing campaign more difficult may prove to have some grounds in terms of close-air support, however this would not serve to prevent these operations as ISNS and laser guided munitions are employed, both serving to effectively prevent friendly-fire.

Sud-Ubangi

Much like with the other offensives, efforts could be made to slow the advance in order to disarm traps and repair the roads to facilitate an advance with fewer causalities at a moderate pace. AMX-30s with mine-rollers accompanying combat engineers would head the spearheads, followed by other armored units and infantry support. Following the fall of Libenge, they would continue to march on Boyabo but also set their sights upon Bingi, Mame, and Bari as part of their eventual goal of reaching Gemena. They would similarly use checkpoints and deforestation along the roads to protect the flanks of the advance from ICC counterattack.

[Zackaroth]

DRC Update 3



Inside the Green Line: SRC

Inside the Black Line: ICC

Inside the Purple Line: Coaltion forces.

In between the Black and Green Line: Demilitarized zone(save for ICC insurgents)

Inside the Blue Line: HDMC

[Puertollano]

DRC

The first contingency of soldiers from the Bolivarian Republic arrived. According to the Ministry of Defense, a contingency of around 5,000 Puertollanaoan troops arrived in Kinshasa, the capital of the Socialist Republic of the Congo. While on the tarmac, the soldiers were greeted by the Ambassador to the SRC, a current a delegation of the international aid doctors and the commander of the International Socialist Brigades. They arrived upon invitation from the Socialist Republic, and will begin expedition to the northern border. The soldiers will be involved in armed border patrols, along the Islamist-Socialist border and the Coalition-Socialist border. This would increase security, preventing terrorists from easily passing through the border with a strong military presence. It would also make a Coalition attack against the border impossible, if they were not wanting a confrontation on the border with another world power. The Puertollanoan doctors initiative is also expanding along the border. These Puertollanoan citizens are offering free and available healthcare to the SRC and Puertollano soldiers along the stretch. As well as any civilians. On top of that, they are expanding their anti-Ebola efforts, which have been successful throughout the SRC already.

[Orostan]

The Southern Offensive

With the northern front having relatively died down and the HDMC army at the verge of collapse it seemed that the SRC had finally won the civil war. These hopes were dashed not long after when the East African intervention occurred. In total, the SRC had 65,000 troops in the southern front including foreign forces. These would later be bolstered by 20,000 additional reinforcements from the northern front. In addition, 10,000 SRC troops would guard the northern areas along with South American forces, and another 10,000 troops were in charge of guarding the border with Tanzania. In terms of manpower, the SRC was just starting to fully utilize their manpower pool, though this would be limited by training and supplies concerns.

At the Tanzanian border, a wide lake separated the SRC and East Africa, providing a natural boundary. To take advantage of this, the SRC would set up anti-ship and deploy air defenses along the border, and would also send over small boats for use on the lakes. To further set up defenses, naval mines would be laid by FSR aircraft on the SRC sectors of the lake and traps would be set along certain routes. Additional FSR aircraft would also be moved to the south, though wouldn't be utilized as of the moment.

The final offensive against the HDMC had been planned for a while now, but delayed due to the situation in the North In the ensuing offensive, the SRC would attempt to take as much ground as possible and push the HDMC back all along the line of control. One of the targets would be to take control of the area in no-mans-land between Pweto and Moliro. With the area being right next to the Zambian border, it could potentially be the first point of contact with the East African army. The East African statement that they would not conduct offensives outside HDMC territory was not believed in the FSR or SRC. But for now, both would refrain from making offensive moves inside East Africa. SRC forces would also try to secure the towns of Gwena and Kapanji.

Near the recently captured Kapanga, forces would also seek to advance down the N39 highway. Due to the scarcity of settlements and there only being one major highway, it was believed that the HDMC would set up their defense near Tshimbalanga, which would be the main target for this part of the SRC offensive. The SRC would also try to secure the border towns near Angola, namely Samakwo and if possible Bumbu (DRC). Meanwhile, in the centre front, the targets were Kamina and Ulamba. If Kamina fell, then the SRC army would also try to secure Kiungu and Bukama. With the SRC almost certainly outnumbering the HDMC everywhere, points of high resistance could be surrounded and cut off from reinforcement as the SRC advanced past them.

[The East African Commonwealth]

As the SRC and FSR backed forces began their move, they did not do so unopposed as the EAC and HDMC had been busy digging in. Over the African Great Lakes Region EAC aircraft flew up to approaching FSR aircraft preparing to drop mines and informed them that the mining of the lakes on any side would be considered an act of war and the aircraft must return to their airfields or be shot down. Additionally, the EAC 6th Division has artillery positioned on the EAC shore line pointed at the the SRC meant to counter any force thrown at them and take out any vessel that nears EAC Shores. While HDMC territory was open for combat, mining or any offensive action on the lake would be considered an act of war by the EAC as it was a major local trade route and a major source of income locally not just for the Commonwealth but other neighboring nations.

Within the No Man's Land between Pweto and Moliro the HDMC had withdrawn their forces and pulled back toward the west, however, dug in on the border was the 8th Division consisting of 8,000 men. The border had been covered with trenches, artillery positions, mortar teams, and a few concrete pillboxes that were hastily constructed. Their guns followed the SRC advance but they withheld from directly engaging the force. The opposing forces now sit waiting for the other to move first.

Gwena and Kapanji were a different story. The HDMC forces on the eastern flank had now dug themselves in along with the EAC 3rd Division, a total of 30,000 troops. Lines of trenches, artillery, anti-aircraft batteries, and mortar pits spread across the front. In front of the lines trees had been cut down in the weeks prior to the SRC advance and there was now a thousand yard stretch of open land between the SRC forces and the front line. This was not restricted to the Eastern flank, the Central and Western Sectors had done the same, creating a line of crude defenses stretching from the shores of Lake Mweru to the Kasai River with defenses concentrated around choke points, major entry points, and urban areas. With 90,000 (45,000 EAC and 45,000 HDMC) troops, aircraft, and armored vehicles stretched across the line with heavy artillery and a constant flow of supplies, the SRC assumption of an under-supplied and outnumbered HDMC was proven dead wrong.

All the defenders now had to do was wait.

[The Underground Movement Union]

North EAC
About an airwing of Canadian F-20's, UI-22's and F-22's and a collection of light attack craft and reconnaissance aircraft would relocate themselves northwards, taking up positions in airbases nearby the lakes. Around 72 aircraft, with around 1,500 personnel and a regiment of around 2,400 Canadian soldiers would be the total forces mobilized north. The air-forces located there would mostly just be taking the time to settle themselves into their new positions and conduct some aerial exercises and assist the EAC in keeping the FSR forces "out of East African air space," warning that Canada's defense agreements entail military intervention should East Africa be attacked; in this case, that especially includes the destruction of civilian targets. Canadian light fighters would tread lightly, keeping up with FSR aircraft on the EAC's side to make sure they stay on course and out of EAC waters.

[Orostan]

Consolidation

The SRC's planned offensive would have to be delayed following the East African intervention. After having advanced 200 miles, the SRC needed time to regroup prepare for the next offensive. While the SRC did finish establishing a border with the EAC, that would be where the SRC stopped.

Rather, throughout the front HDMC troops would start to see the SRC's frontline strength start to decrease as some reserve forces were created, including significant armored reserves. The potential for an HDMC counteroffensive during this period was taken into this account, and the SRC air force would shift towards a defensive stance meant to secure air parity and preventing enemy intrusion over SRC territory. Reinforcements, including five thousand veterans, would be moved to the southern front to match the enemy’s numbers. Additionally, the SRC troops on the southern front would be armed with the best equipment the SRC had to give them and be given priority in supply distribution. Federation experts would help the SRC quell logistical bottlenecks, and prepositioned supplies would also be set up in preparation for the next offensive. During this buildup period, the frontlines would start to quiet down unless East Africa struck first.

Much like the HDMC, the SRC also received donated supplies from its allies. But it also had another advantage. With it controlling the majority of the Congo's vast natural recourses, the SRC exported these in order to help finance the war effort. In particular, the SRC found willing trade partners within the FSR and China. In addition, the route of the HDMC army in the last offensive meant that SRC forces were able to manage to capture enemy supply stockpiles. These would be repurposed and utilized by the SRC, albeit not in the southern front in order to avoid logistical issues or friendly fire in the future. This, however, would help free up other supplies for use in the south. Some of the captured foreign equipment would be sent to the FSR for analysis, though it was recognized that such weaponry was likely dated.

News of the East African intervention led to a surge of recruitment for the SRC Armed Forces. This was because many residents of the SRC had an outright hatred towards the coalition for their war crimes against the Congo and Nigeria. With East Africa now seen as a member of the axis of evil, anti-East African sentiment began to steadily grow within the SRC. The first special forces units of the SRC would be assembled during this time, being trained and equipped by their Federation counterparts. To smooth the transition to a civilian government, local elections would also be gradually held in the newly consolidated parts of the country, like what already had occurred in the western parts of the SRC.

At Lake Tanganyika, as per East African request, the minelaying operations were halted. However, FSR aircraft would still continue to fly sorties over the SRC side of the lake in order to guarantee the safety of the region, and the FSR sent an additional four fighter squadrons to reinforce the region. At the Southern front, aging cellphone tower infrastructure would be secretly upgraded to aid in communications and added to.

[The East African Commonwealth]

In response to the halt by the SCR force, the HDMC and the East African Army have commenced further construction on defenses and have begun moving up additional supplies and materials. A secondary line is also begin established behind the primary line to act as a fall back should the front fall. Anti-Tank guns, anti-air emplacements, and additional bunkers are being placed across the line and at key chokepoints. Additional men from the reserve of the EAC military have arrived behind the HDMC defense line to further bolster defenses.