Battle of Thar City (IC | TWI Only)

[Athara Magarat]

OOC

Link to Map of Thar City

Link to Map of Vendriothos

The Battle of Thar City is a major ongoing military confrontation in Thar City, the third largest city in Ipachi State, between various Khas-Kirati militias against the Ipachi State government supported by Razzgriz and against San Montagna. The battle began on 1 July 2021.

Background

Khas-Kirati Republic (Red) and Ipachi State (Blue)

After the Imperial War (1941 - 1948), southeastern Vendriothos was occupied by Razzgriz and San Montagna occupied the Chatha region while rest of the Free Powers occupied western Vendriothos. The San Montagnan occupation zone became part of the country whereas Razzgriz created the Ipachi State in their occupation zone.

In 1948, the League Mission in Argus (LEMIA) was established to monitor the transition of Khas-Kirat Empire to the Khas-Kirati Republic and supervise the demilitarization of Vendriothos. Within a year, the mission's objectives were expanded to prevent troops and weapons from entering the newly-declared Ipachi State that was hostile to both the Khas-Kirati Republic and San Montagna.

In 1950, the 30th Parallel War broke out between the Ipachi State and San Montagna due to border disputes. Both sides invaded southern parts of the demilitarized Khas-Kirati Republic. The League of the Western Isles approved the formation of the paramilitary Armed Police Force (APF) for national self-defense with training from LEMIA troops. The 30th Parallel War resulted in a military stalemate but the conflict never ended officially as there was no peace treaty and preventing conflict between all sides involved was added to the list of LEMIA's objectives.

In 1960s, various armed Chathaese groups (supported by San Montagna and TBD), started their ongoing war against the Ipachi State. Emboldened by the success of Chathaese rebels and angry at the Free Powers for not delivering the promise of an independent Khumbu nation, the ongoing Khumbuwani Insurgency started during 1970s in northeastern Vendriothos. By 1980s, the Khumbuwani Insurgency spread to southern Torom and Khumbu-majority areas of Segentova. LEMIA's objectives were further expanded to assist the APF in bringing security and stability to rebel-dominated areas.

Thar City was Ipachi State's third largest city with a population of over 1 million. Various writers described the city as "a multicultural complex mix of various Khas-Kirati groups, mostly the Chepangs of Chatha region, overlaid on an Argean Ipachi base of predominately Tharu clans."

While the Ipachi State faced an active Chathaese rebellion, it was mostly active only in rural areas and Thar City had remained undisturbed for decades until 1 July 2021, when rebel fighters from border towns and villages in San Montagnan Chatha converged and penetrated into it. The Ipachi State, supported by Razzgriz, responded with heavy-handed and indiscriminate bombardment of the city.

[Athara Magarat]

Marco Chepang's House, Naya Mandali, Thar City

1 July 2021

https://ibb.co/gjh0gdp

"Hey Luca, come to join us?" Marco Chepang hugged the younger man who had just walked down the stairs. "Everyone, this is my cousin Luca."

The others in the room mostly grunted while a few nodded or smiled at Luca. The room was filled with smoke and reeked of alcohol. At a table in the corner, two men seemed to be playing poker.

Luca was one of the hundreds of fighters from San Montagnan Chatha who had arrived in Thar City. These men, and even some women, had crossed the Sthavir River (that separated Thar City from San Montagna) just the day before in large numbers. It was a miracle that the Ipachi State patrols had not been able to detect this large number of boats arriving from San Montagna. There were rumors that either Chepang inside men within the Ipachi State border patrol or corrupt Ipachi officers or both had turned a blind eye to this. And these fighters had not arrived unarmed. With them, they had brought large supplies of small arms, explosives and other ammunitions from San Montagnan suppliers or the black market.

A week before, the Chathaese armed outfit Gaidu Guard (that had been fighting the Ipachi State for seven decades from rural villages like other Chathaese rebel groups) had made a declaration that the war would now be taken into Thar City. The Catholic Chatha Company, whose leadership viewed the Gaidu Guard and other Chathaese rebel groups as rivals at best and as enemies in the past, had put aside their religious differences and made a statement supporting this "Battle of Thar City" and had called upon San Montagnan Chathaese, who were almost all Catholics, to join the fight.

The fighting had started on the morning. On this day, which is 1 July 2021, only the Naya Mandali and Gaidu neighborhoods saw clashes between the hundreds of Chathaese fighters and the Ipachi State security forces.

"It's a good thing that Thar City is isolated from other major cities." A man with greying beard said as he pointed his finger at the map spread out on the table. Luca was already beside the table. "It will take the army of these Ipachi bastards at least two days, or even more if circumstances such as bad weather help us, to arrive from either Kamatpur or Star City. Their border patrols and cops are what we have been fighting so far."

Luca felt that the fighting had mostly died down as evening approached. The sounds of gunfire and explosions were no more. No one knew what happened in Gaidu neighborhood but Ipachi State security forces had retreated from Naya Mandali, so this battle was started with a victory for the Chathaese. But there was no joyous celebration. There was no idea of how many had died on both side. Dozens? Maybe even a hundred? Ipachi State news and Khas-Kirati Republic's government both claimed there had been 'casualties on both sides' without providing actual numbers. The Chathaese leadership, divided between various groups, themselves seemed to have no idea except "we are counting".

Luca was listening to the man with the grey beard talk when Marco yanked him away from the table. "Luca, it's time to prepare dinner. Come help me, man. There are lots of mouths to feed here."

Luca followed Marco into the kitchen. He wondered how many of these men or himself or Marco would even be alive when the Ipachi State's army arrived in Thar City.

[Athara Magarat]

Khas-Kirati Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tapu Sahar, Khas-Kirati Republic

6 July 2021

Gloria Praja was new to her job as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Khas-Kirati Republic. Like all other ministers in the cabinet, she was appointed for the job only after approval from the former Free Powers. And the Khas-Kirati government had just summoned ambassadors from all of these former Free Powers for a meeting.

Gloria was a Catholic Chepang herself, her parents hailing from Thar City in Ipachi State and San Montagnan Chatha, and she knew more than anyone else in the Khas-Kirati cabinet that everyone needed to act immediately to prevent a war.

Athrilaea Vantharil Sealthari, the Roendavarian ambassador, was the first to arrive. Tall and slim, ai-fei Sealthari was a charismatic figure. The woman, like most Roendavarians, had very pale white color skin and long wavy brown hair that she frequently touched when she spoke. She seems to be the same age as me.

Gloria fixed her dress and went outside to welcome ai-fei Sealthari with a smile and a welcome gesture with her joint hands. She herself escorted the Roendavarian ambassador to the meeting room. One of the staff brought two glasses of wine.

"We can have a venicuelen prepared for you, ai-fei Sealthari." Gloria said once the Roendavarian ambassador was seated. Venicuelen is a type of Roendavarian spiced fruit tart.

"As much as I did love to eat my favorite food with you Gloria, I say we do it once the meeting is over." For a moment Gloria wondered if the Roendavarian woman had indeed used her first name and indeed she had. Is trying to appear friendly?

"I am afraid that might take a long time. Thanks to Tapu Sahar's traffic, all summoned ambassadors might take a long time to arrive."

"Then why don't we pass the time, Gloria?" The Khas-Kirati foreign minister noticed that the other woman was already taking sips from her glass. Gloria did the Khas-Kirati tradition of asking permission from the other people in the room before drinking.

"As you might be aware, ai-fei. On July 1st, Chathaese armed groups launched an assault of Thar City. Within that day, due to the arrival of large number of fighters from San Montagnan Chatha, a few neighborhoods in western part of Thar City fell under rebel control. Thar City is quite isolated from rest of the population centers in Ipachi State or even from most cities in Khas-Kirati Republic. However, it lies right on the 30th Parallel North Line border and San Montagnan cities such as Adige, historically known as Chyo-bang City while it was the capital of the Hangate of Chatha, or Friuli are much closer to Thar City. As a result, more and more fighters from San Montagnan Chatha have been crossing the 30th Parallel every day. The Ipachi State border patrol and Thar City Police are fighting against the rebels for now. Generally, it would not have taken two days for the Ipachi State's army to have arrived in Thar City but due to torrential rains, they have been slowed down. The intel we have is that they will arrive soon. Despite this, we have reports of the Ipachi State shelling rebel-controlled neighborhoods in Thar City with attack helicopters - "

"And the situation will get worse when Razzgriz, Ipachi State's protector, or San Montagna make their moves." The Roendavarian ambassador finished Gloria's sentence.

"Exactly. Which is why we would like the former Free Powers nations to put forth a resolution in the League to stop the fighting before it escalates."

"Gloria, internal matters are hardly a matter for the League."

"With all due respect, ai-fei." Gloria fixed her gaze at the Roendavarian ambassador who was still touching her long wavy brown hair. "This will not remain an internal matter for long. We have reports that troops from Razzgriz itself may be sent in. Worse, there are reports of San Montagnan troops gathering at the 30th Parallel. They haven't done anything within these last six days to stop the flow of fighters from San Montagnan Chatha. And we have every reason to believe that the San Montagnan government is actually encouraging the Chathaese rebellion with plans of annexing Thar City. They claim themselves successor state to the Hangate of Chatha and lay claim to all Chathaese territories. And as a nation who is not part of the League, we request you to at least tell the League to do something."

"I know, Gloria. Nobody wants a refugee crisis - "

"We are not worried about that. Khas-Kirati Republic, San Montagna or Razzgriz will most likely be the destinations if there are any refugees. What we are worried is of the broader implications. Of a war that can possibly be prevented. A conflict that might spill across borders. LEMIA has it's issues and is mired in controversies but it has been able to keep peace. Except for the Khumbuwani rebellion and usual hostility towards us from our former breakaway province of Ipachi State and southern neighbors in San Montagna, we have not seen any war and relative peace has been maintained specially in larger cities thanks to LEMIA and their training of our Armed Police Force. LEMIA's roles should be expan - "

"If this is all you wanted to talk, perhaps it is time for me to take leave." The Roendavarian ambassador put down her glass and stood up.

"Please wait, ai-fei. I am sure, you would want to meet other ambassadors. They will be arriving soon."

"Let me get this straight, Gloria. You want me to help you convince other ambassadors that we should table a League resolution. I will see what I can do when they arrive. In exchange, I want the finest venicuelen available."

[San Montagna]

San Montagnan-Ipachi border, near Thar City

12th of July

As he gazed out into the distance, Giorgio Frello lit a cigarette. He was stationed along the border near Thar City since the first of July, but had yet do anything since.

"At this point I'd be happy scrubbing the floors" Pvt. Vignato was next to him, and just as tired of the dull days patrolling the border.

"We can't do that Emanuele, we're on the lookout for Ipachis." Frello said mockingly as he brought the cigarette to his mouth.

The official reasoning for the San Montagnan presence near Thar City was to prevent the spillover of the conflict into the provinces of Chatha and Terra-Nuova, but you didn't have to be a high-ranking officer to know that it was a fabrication, it would be a death sentence for the Ipachi State to send troops to initiate hostilities in or even near the border. A fact which San Montagna took full opportunity of, allowing the free movement of Chathaese militiamen through the border towards Thar City by the hundreds, a phenomenon that Frello saw many times daily as they passed his battalion armed on their way to the fight while they just waved. Altough sometimes some groups of Chathaese would stop to give small gifts of food or exchange pleasantries, which Frello appreciated, as it gave him a small break from the monotone nature of the day. A few days prior some even stopped to listen to San Montagna UAFA Cup quarterfinal match, although it's ending was a disappointment.

"Better chance of spotting someone from Monte than an Ipachi here." Vignato laughed.

"Who knows." Frello replied.

"Wish they'd just give the green light to invade already."

"I wouldn't complain." The general rumour circulating around the camp was that some sort of invasion plan was being drawn to aid the rebels, altough some of the more sensible people around dismiss the notion. As the battalion was from Acquaviva, on the other side of the country, no one has a personal connection to the struggle. And yet most feel as if it is in some way their duty as San Montagnans to unite Chatha. Whether it be due to what was taught in school, or due to general of hatred for Ipachis because of the Parallel war, the majority of the country sees the unification of Chatha as a goal their nation must achieve.

"What the hell was that?" Vignato said worriedly, as the sound of sticks breaking rang through the air. "I think it came from that patch of forest."

"It's just a damn deer or something." Frello was sure of it, but decided to look anyway as to give him something to do. The two men walked into the forest and into a small clearing, they stood for a second and waited, but the sound did not repeat itself. The forest was empty of sound save for the whistling of birds and the sound of leaves in the wind, so not much of a difference than what they heard a few feat from it. "Well there you go, I see nothing, I hear nothing. It was just a d-" A stick broke again, this time directly behind them. Vignato reacted quickly and swung his rifle around.

"Shit, calm down, it's just me." Pvt. Palmieri said frightened.

"Geez, your lucky my safety was on." Vignato brought his weapon down. "The hell are you even doing here?"

"I heard a branch crack."

[Athara Magarat]

Marco Chepang's House, Naya Mandali, Thar City

30 July 2021

https://i.ibb.co/yf7zsp1/image.png

Luca and his cousin Marco Chepang watched from the explosion from Marco's house. Finally, the Tallo Sano Bridge was destroyed and the battle for it was over. While the fighting in Chathaese neighborhoods within western parts of Thar City had been going on for a month by now, this Battle of Tallo Sano Bridge had been a three hours long confrontation between Chathaese fighters and soldiers of the Ipachi State Army.

Luca was frustrated. He had come here, leaving behind his college and girlfriend back in San Montagna, to fight in this war for Chathaese liberation. Instead, he had become nothing more than the assistant of his cousin Marco as the two cooked food for the actual fighters. A month of staying at his cousin's house in presence of heavily-armed men, both local Chathaese and newly-arrived fighters from San Montagna, and yet he had not even been offered any weapon by anyone. Sometimes he even spotted women fighters and boys younger than himself in Marco's house. Luca felt that the only explanation could be that his older cousin had talked to leaders of various Chathaese militias to not allow Luca to join the actual fighting. But Luca never confronted Marco over this. Instead, he continued helping his cousin feed the fighters.

Three hours ago, nearly 150 fighters from Chatha Company (the largest armed Chathaese outfit) and Army of South Chatha (the unofficial name for San Montagnan Chathaese fighters) had assembled at the Tallo Sano Bridge. There had been reports that the Ipachi State Army would move into Naya Mandali neighborhood through the bridge. Other bridges that connected eastern and western parts of Thar City were under Ipachi State control but Tallo Sano Bridge had been under Chathaese hands. The enemy could not be allowed to take over it and move into Naya Mandali.

Of the 150 fighters assembled at the bridge, Luca had watched from Marco's binoculars as a vanguard of 50 had advanced ahead to place detonation on the bridge. The Ipachi State soldiers had noticed their movements and they were fired upon. The Chathaese fighters used everything from RPGs to machine guns and assault rifles to stop the advance of approaching Ipachi State soldiers.

Initially, the Chathaese fighters were pushed back. After three hours of intense fighting, something interesting happened. A Lupo Armoured Fighting Vehicle arrived at the thick of the fighting in the bridge.

"What the heck?" Luca's jaws had dropped in surprise. Lupo was a San Montagnan APC used by almost nobody else. He wondered if San Montagnan soldiers themselves had now arrived at Thar City. But the APC dropped Chathaese fighters with what looked like first aid kits and medical equipment instead of San Montagnan soldiers. Luca had gritted his teeth. He should have been down there at the bridge, fighting side by side other San Montagnan Chathaese men and women for liberation for their ancestral homeland.

The Lupo's arrival had instantly changed the tide of the battle at the bridge. It's two turrets roared to life and they unleashed upon the Ipachi State soldiers, who the fell back and retreated from the bridge. The wounded Chathese fighters were rescued by those that had newly-arrived and hauled into the Lupo. It was later learned that 4 Chathaese fighters had been martyred at Tallo Sano Bridge, which was soon demolished by detonation. Just before this happened though, the Chathaese fighters had managed to take 25 Ipachi State soldiers as captives.

An Ipachi State helicopter had arrived right after the explosion that indicated the demolition of Tallo Sano Bridge and circled around the area. But the helicopter did nothing and left just like that. Luca wondered if it had been Ipachi State media or government officials on board that helicopter to assess the damage.

The Ipachi State media later announced that day that 6 of their soldiers had died at Tallo Sano bridge. There was no mention of the 25 soldiers taken captive. It was another day of the war.

[Athara Magarat]

Khas-Kirati Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tapu Sahar, Khas-Kirati Republic

8 August 2021

Khas-Kirati Republic's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gloria Praja, sipped her Chathaese Tongba and watched the tall and slim Roendavarian woman do the same. Athrilaea Vantharil Sealthari had became a frequent visitor to Gloria ever since she had got this high-level government job. Statistically, that might not have been true but Gloria noticed ai-fei Sealthari, with her imposing and charismatic figure with pale white skin, more than she did other diplomats.

"Gloria, I really apologize once again, But the ecocide resolution put forth by my government is really important as well."

"We understand, ai-fei. We are hopeful the League will discuss this crisis next door once the ecocide resolution is finished." Gloria said in a monotonous voice. Then she smiled a little. "We would have supported the resolution ourselves if we were part of the League. And, we have a venicuelen prepared specifically for you."

"That can come later. You heard anything new?"

"Well, yesterday, a high-ranking rebel commander was assassinated either by an Ipachi State sniper team or even special forces from Razzgriz itself. Unfortunately, that is all we know. But we speculate that the deceased might have been a San Montagnan citizen of Chathaese ethnicity."

"And what about today?" ai-fei Sealthari asked.

"Early in the morning, the Chathaese forces launched an attack on Chitwan Baha. Again, we do not have full reports of what actually happened or how many fighters on both sides or civilians died in this assault. That might take some time. What we do know is that the daughter of one of the most powerful Ipachi matriarchs in Keomora was taken hostage alongside some of her friends. I expect the Keomoran ambassador to visit me soon."

"Well then, seems like you will busy." The Roendavarian woman got up from her seat. The two then bid each other their goodbyes.

Gloria was still in her office 20 minutes later, looking the reports and preparing herself for a press conference that had become a daily occurrence since this conflict in Thar City started, when her secretary dialed her.

"Miss Minister, we just received a call from the Tsunter embassy seeking an appointment," came the voice from the other end.

"The Tsunter? Not Keomoran?" Gloria was both surprised and confused. "Very well, arrange the schedule."