Green Tides [MT | FINISHED] (IC)

[Khataiy]

Khataiy

Things were changing along with the global political climate, and this change had a heavy toll on Khataiy at the face of a possible invasion the leadership has been forced to hide in a bunker, and it can no longer afford to support the revolutionary forces of Samporna to undermine the Ghaddafist regime, but at the same time it wouldn't hurt to flip the situation from a political loss to a political victory. The conflict and Samporna and its rebels would not enjoy as much support as Iraq's resistance or the Syrian rebels or Libyan rebels but it would enjoy plenty of political support and limited intelligence. But with the shift in Khataiyi politics, it would not be possible to support the Ghaddafist regime, but it isn't necessarily time to cutoff Samporna's rebels but the new approach would be to act as a mediator, the foreign ministry would go on to publish a statement.

The Arab State of Khataiy

---

We condemn the mass a rabid violence that plagues Samporna, we stand with the resistance, and we call upon the regime to end all acts of violence and to enter the tables of negotiation. We are willing to mediate between the regime and resistance, Khataiy is an open door ready for mediation and for fruitful dialogue. We also seek to enjoy a powerful and beneficial coexistence with Samporna, and hold a relationship where we may call each other friends and equals, we invite all factions in the nation to the tables of negotiation in the city of Iskanderun, for the better future of Samporna, its people, and the Arab State of Khataiy.

Signed,
Uthman al-Ghamadi, Foreign Minister of the Arab State of Khataiy

[Samporna]

Khataiy

Things were changing along with the global political climate, and this change had a heavy toll on Khataiy at the face of a possible invasion the leadership has been forced to hide in a bunker, and it can no longer afford to support the revolutionary forces of Samporna to undermine the Ghaddafist regime, but at the same time it wouldn't hurt to flip the situation from a political loss to a political victory. The conflict and Samporna and its rebels would not enjoy as much support as Iraq's resistance or the Syrian rebels or Libyan rebels but it would enjoy plenty of political support and limited intelligence. But with the shift in Khataiyi politics, it would not be possible to support the Ghaddafist regime, but it isn't necessarily time to cutoff Samporna's rebels but the new approach would be to act as a mediator, the foreign ministry would go on to publish a statement.

(Image)
The Arab State of Khataiy

---

We condemn the mass a rabid violence that plagues Samporna, we stand with the resistance, and we call upon the regime to end all acts of violence and to enter the tables of negotiation. We are willing to mediate between the regime and resistance, Khataiy is an open door ready for mediation and for fruitful dialogue. We also seek to enjoy a powerful and beneficial coexistence with Samporna, and hold a relationship where we may call each other friends and equals, we invite all factions in the nation to the tables of negotiation in the city of Iskanderun, for the better future of Samporna, its people, and the Arab State of Khataiy.

Signed,
Uthman al-Ghamadi, Foreign Minister of the Arab State of Khataiy

"There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare."
-Sun Tzu, Art of War

While it was true that there were Sampornese angered by the LLF attacks and willing to prolong the conflict in order to succeed in extinguishing the insurgency, most of those in the People's Conference were not stupid. A prolonged conflict would do no good for Samporna, and a beneficial resolution must be found as swift as possible lest the Sampornese economy be drained by civil war.

For a while, there was little opportunity to conduct negotiations with the LLF due to the heated tensions; but Khataiy's offer may as well be the swiftest solution. After all, Sun Tzu did once say "supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting."

People's Conference of Samporna

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ADDRESSED TO : The Khataiy Administration
FROM : The Revolutionary Council of Samporna

---

While we hold in distaste your smearing against our Jamahiriya by calling us rabid and violent, we do appreciate that you have come to see reason. If you are willing to mediate between the Sampornese Jamahiriya and the Lumad Liberation Front, we will gladly find a way to strike a compromise and hope for a better future for all of us in peace. We will allow the LLF to send their envoys to Iskanderun, and send our own envoys as well.

People's Conference of Samporna

---

As of recently, the Arab State of Khataiy has offered mediation between the Great Sampornese Malay People's Socialist Jamahiriya of Samporna and the Lumad Liberation Front. We have stated interest in peace and compromise, and are willing to allow the LLF safe passage to the city of Iskanderun. If the LLF is willing to negotiate, we will gladly order a ceasefire and request that the LLF envoys arrive at the Butuan City Airport.

[Khataiy]

The Arab State of Khataiy

---

We welcome and thank the Jamahiriya of Samporna for the decision to come to dialogue along with the Lumad Liberation Front, we await the implementation of the cease-fire and the delegations on their way to Iskanderun. We hope great progress is made.

Signed,
Uthman al-Ghamadi, Foreign Minister of the Arab State of Khataiy

[Samporna]

Dania's Safehouse

Dania sat on her chair, legs crossed as she looked at the laptop in front of her; watching the news unfold before her eyes. She was quite pleased and relaxed, it was only a matter of time before foreign powers recognized the plight of anti-Jamahiriya insurgents. Only a matter of time before the Jamahiriya could be overthrown and the Sampornese Liberal Party given the chance to once more rise to power-

"-Jamahiriya agrees to negotiations with LLF..." the newsman says, as Dania almost jumps out of her chair, screaming "What?!"

The door bursts open, in coming a man in military uniform holding a gun. "What happened Ms. Nagi?!"

Dania was standing now, her hands placed on the table and her eyes wide open and staring at the laptop screen as she sweat profusely. "Nononono, this can't be happening. They'll find us. Get Gombak!"

In came Gombak, a short brown Lumad man of with an elderly appearance and an expensive suit. "Yes ma'am?"

"I want guns in Butuan to wait around the airport! If the LLF reaches a peace accord with the Jamahiriya, they will rat on us and our entire party is done for! Shoot the envoys the moment they are spotted in the airport!"

---

Revolutionary Committee of Samporna

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ADDRESSED TO : Military Intervention Forces of the Countries of the Pan-Asiatic States and Zhouran
FROM : The Revolutionary Council of Samporna

---

By the authority of the People's Conference of Samporna, a ceasefire has been ordered. Delegates of the LLF will be allowed safe passage to Iskanderun on a plane in the Butuan City Airport. However, we still would like to ask for help in ensuring the safety and security of the envoys. Negotiations will be conducted between the LLF and Samporna in the Khataiy city of Iskanderun, and we would like to ensure the safety of our envoys and the prevention of any unnecessary incidents. A fighter escort will accompany the said plane on its flight to Iskanderun; we ask for an aircraft carrier to be placed near the Arabian Gulf so that our fighters may be able to land when they can no longer continue into Khataiy Airspace.

[Zhouran]

When news of the Middle Eastern state of Khataiy hosting the Sampornese Jamahiriya and the Lumad Liberation Front for mediation and dialogue reached Zhouran, the Zhouranese ordered a ceasefire on all aerial operations above Samporna. Fleet Admiral Aidanrong "Sea Tiger" Nalan, group commander of Combat Naval Group Pitiless Viper 9183, was given orders to send his CNG to the Arabian Gulf in order to protect the Sampornese and LLF delegates. Even though Zhouran already has multiple CNGs in the Indian Ocean, all of them were busy conducting anti-piracy and freedom-of-navigation operations, thus Aidanrong's CNG was assigned to the task, not to mention that there is a ceasefire between Samporna and the LLF and that ZPAAF units stationed at Air Base Taitou in the Independent State of Fafo were already placed on standby in the event fighting continues.

People's Defense Council of the People's Republic of Zhouran Message To the Revolutionary Council of Samporna Upon your government's request, all Zhouranese military operations above Samporna are under ceasefire. Zhouranese military operations will be redirected to ZPA troops stationed in the Independent State of Fafo as Combat Naval Group Pitiless Viper 9183 has been mobilized and are on their way to the Arabian Gulf. Regards, Senior Marshal Su Rongyu, Chairman of the People's Defense Council

[Khataiy]

Iskanderun, Khataiy

Military securing the site

---

Iskanderun is considered the gem of Khataiy, the New York City of the country. The city is popular with tourists from around the world for its renowned sights and beautiful beaches, and its comfortable Mediterranean climate, the city is also home to the largest port in the country and is an essential hub for trade on the Mediterranean, manufacturing and distribution are also an important part of not only the city's economy but also the country's. The city has also remained a loyalist hotbed in the wake of a string of civil unrest across Khataiy, even with the city's diverse population of Sunnis, Christians, Kurds, Shias, foreign workers and so on, its the natural choice for Khataiy to welcome foreign representatives to, to discuss ending the bloody conflict in Samporna.

A hotel was chosen to be the site for the negotiations by the government, the hotel chosen was the Sahel Hotel which is rated as one of the top in the country, it usually was used for hosting foreign diplomats, government officials, journalists, conferences, large companies etc. The military did a walk-through and secured the location, checkpoints were established around the hotel's property as well.

As the delegation arrived, the foreign minister Uthman al-Ghamadi welcomed them along with other Foreign Ministry officials and military officials, and they were taken into the ballroom that was set up for the negotiations.

Khataiyi officials meeting Sampornese

As the meeting started, Uthman al-Ghamadi spoke, "We have invited the Sampornese factions to Khataiy out of strong hopes to see peace, we think it is a very real possibility that all sides can come to an agreement here and we hope to stand at the side of Samporna in the process of peace and reconciliation. This is an open forum for all factions." After speaking he sat down and awaited the response from the other participants.

[Samporna]

Outside the Butuan City Airport in a nearby building

Unmoving and with an air of silence, Taiseer bin Shuaib and his team watch the streets. One sniper might miss, but four of them missing is unlikely. They each watch the streets, ready to fire the moment the envoys are visible. They have placed several sniper teams around the city airport, each loyalists to either tjhe Sampornese National Party, the Sampornese Liberal Party, or ex-SRA soldiers. They must kill all the envoys at once, as surely they will be viable witnesses that the LLF will believe in in case something happens. Were they to simply die however in Sampornese territory and the Sampornese were to tell the LLF that there was an assassination, and their SLP supporters tell them otherwise; then the conflict would be indefinitely prolonged.

An LLF Camp Outside Butuan

Still cautious of the Sampornese, the LLF sets up camp in the jungle; never daring to go out in the open, where they might lose their advantage against the Sampornese. The commander within the camp, sends out the envoys in several convoys, following different routes. The convoys consisted of mostly civilian vehicles, modified with armor and weapons; and were protected by small teams of LLF soldiers each. They head for the airport, all in different routes diverging towards it.

Butuan

Citizens have been advised to stay indoors, as several patrols attempt to secure the city. Helicopters are based in the airport in the event of anything going wrong, and IFVs remain patrolling the area.

---

Revolutionary Committee of Samporna

---

ADDRESSED TO : Military Intervention Forces of the Countries of the Pan-Asiatic States and Zhouran
FROM : The Revolutionary Council of Samporna

---

In order to secure the safety of our envoys, we would like to ask you all to reinforce the security detail in Butuan. We suspect that some may attempt to sabotage the negotiations.

[Pan-Asiatic States]

Kutawatu - Morning
July 11, 2019

---

The 29th Jungle Combat Company, a 100-man contingent, specialists one and all, took their first steps on Sampornese soil. The diverse army of mostly Nusantara, Indochinese, Tagalog, and Chinese soldiers were elites. The 29th applied pressure to some of the Pan-Asiatic States' own internal threats during the crises in Cromwell Island. On the morning of the 11th, their commander-in-chief, Datu Qiao Yimu, arriving to the Pan-Asiatic satellite command center in the region, reported for duty and briefed his men on the coming operation. Joined by Daimyō-Heneral Kangjon Kwang-Hyun, indigenous Commander-In-Chief of the entire Pan-Asiatic contingent in Samporna, they extrapolated the orders and details which had been extracted by and relayed by the Sampornese and Pan-Asiatic leaders themselves. In accordance to the mandates of the Revolutionary Council, they were tasked with ensuring the pacification of any immeadiate LLF threats during the negotiations.

Daimyō-Heneral Kangjon Kwang-Hyun

In the past months, the Pan-Asiatic States Armed Forces had been playing safe with their deployment. Whilst the Sampornese were indeed in charge of the deployment, a factor that was not included from the command-transference mandate was control over the number of Pan-Asiatic soldiers from the contingent to be deployed at the designated Area-of-Operations, which could still be handpicked by the Daimyō-Heneral and his subtrahend officers.

The contingent of the Pan-Asiatic States, relatively small, was now composed of 2 Army Corps. The 21st Siamese Echelon "Bang Klang Haw" Mobile Artillery Division (PIU) and 11th Okinawa Echelon "Suliko" Ranger Division (PIU) formed I Corps, whilst the 42nd Pan-Asiatic Frontier Infantry Division (PIU), 5th Irregular Partisan Regiment (SFU), the 29th Jungle Combat Company, and the 36th Jungle Combat Company "Undas" (SFU) formed II Corps.

I Corps was tasked with maintaining regular search-and-destroy pacification operations, whilst II Corps was mobilized and outfitted to secure Sampornese cities and routes from possible LLF ambush.

[Pan-Asiatic States]

Butuan Outskirts
July 12, 2019

---

The 29th assembles outside the city, under the war flag of the Pan-Asiatic States Armed Forces. The Datu oversees the division of his contingent into squads of ten, a total of ten squads. In each squad was a medic, recognizable by their white helmets, and a Babaylan officer, recognizable by their yellow caps. Each squad had a Kapitan leading them.

Armed with HAR-87 Indigenous Service Rifles and Type 19s, the soldiers were dismissed to be covered in camouflage and to undergo a final weapons check. The Babaylan, aside from their own weapons, also checked their covert radio system.

When all preparations had been made the contingent marched nervously into the jungles, going separate ways, with each squad heading towards their designated sector.

[Pan-Asiatic States]

Butuan
July 12, 2019

---

"I'm more than confident in the ability of the Sampornese gendarme to operate the security of the airport itself, Großadmiral. I'm much more concerned with the state of the rebellion in the mainland. The Sampornese do not have the logistical support which the Federation has to offer.", spoke Daimyō-Heneral Kangjon Kwang-Hyun over a secured communication line with the AMC Central Mission Control in Neo-Manila.

On the other end of the line was Naval Großadmiral Qiu Hanying, First-Ranked Elected AMC Vice-Chairman. She had her doubts:

"Daimyō, I cannot stress enough that this operation is critical to the public image of the Pan-Asiatic government in relation to the Sampornese peoples. We cannot allow two world leaders to die in the same year."

"But neither can we allow ourselves to transmit the wrong message by sending MSPS operators without first consulting the Revolutionary Council, Ma'am.", replies Kwang-Hyun.

The decision is made. Unless explicitly ordered to, Pan-Asiatic troops and the MSPS refuse to partake in the personal detail of the leaders in Butuan in fear of making it look like a display of military force.

[Samporna]

Butuan

The convoys entered the city, each on different routes to the airport. The Sampornese could recognize them by the red flag they flew, with a yellow border and a blue tree. Each window was armored, so it would nevertheless be difficult to perform an assassination. The young LLF soldiers who rode these vehicles could be seen smiling at the onlookers and raising their rifles as if implying victory and liberty.

Flag of the LLF

The LLF were no fools, and they ensured each convoy would arrive at the airport at different times. Thus, as the first convoy arrived and the first shot landed, the envoy was safe in the 2nd convoy.

BANG! The soldiers of the LLF and the Sampornese would scatter into position, taking cover wherever they could find it. At first they looked at each other, sure that the other had taken the first shot, but it soon became evident this was a sniper.

[Pan-Asiatic States]

Butuan
Black Tides at Your Side

---

Babaylan Ho to Datu Qiao: Code Black! We have Lumads down! Weapons are hot. Requesting fire support at these coordinates...

Squads 2 and 3 of the 29th arise from their hiding-places. While Sampornese troops engage the snipers in open combat, the Pan-Asiatic reinforcements secure the flanks. Outside the airport, the rest of the 29th ensure they have a visual on all LLF vehicles. Squad 4, 5, and 6 are tasked with locating and securing the real envoy. Squad 1, 7, 8, 9, and 10 secure the perimeter.

Three-round bursts are fired through tritium sights; each bullet is precise and deadly. Targets would be dead before they could hear the bullet that got them. Squad 2 takes the high ground on the airport's viewing deck. Squad 3 reinforces Sampornese troops on the ground.

The Kapitan of Squad 3, Kapitan Cai Jun, fires a smoke grenade through his HAR-87 Service Rifle. It lands beneath the fake convoy. The coughing and gagging of the Lumads are followed by a swarm of rifle-and-pistol fire from Squad 3 aimed to cover the Lumad soldiers' retreat.

Two members from Squad 2 begin assembling their GSSR-19 Scout Sniper Rifles. They set-up a dummy target beside them. Their GSSR-19s are equipped with thermal sensors.

The Babaylan of Squad 2, Babaylan Widjaja Liko, radios for reinforcements from the other divisions of II Corps. A company of mechanized YW-309 IFVs from the 42nd Frontier could change the tide of the battle. Five anti-personnel carriers make their way from two clicks away, carrying three squads of the 42nd with them.

[Samporna]

Butuan

Frantically did a Sampornese soldier nearby shout into his radio while taking cover. "We have snipers in the area, I repeat, snipers in the area! They have shot and killed what might have been the Lumad envoy-

"Oy Moro!" A nearby LLF soldier called out, as he loaded his rifle and looked at the Sampornese. "Envoy's enroute, that was the body double!"

The Sampornese looked at him for a moment, sweating profusely withe eyes wide open; before returning to his radio. "Body-double of Lumad envoy has been shot! Envoy is still enroute and there are snipers in the area!"

The LLF soldier similarly, took out his own radio. "There are snipers in the area! We've been attacked! The Sampies are trying to find out where the bullet came from! Adi's been shot and killed! They're going after the envoy!"

In a nearby building

Taiseer watched the scene through his scope, seeing what seemed to be the envoy dead. "Target has been shot and killed."

"Good job T, but there should be no LLF witnesses. We need to take care of the rest."

"One of them's on the radio," Taiseer added. "Should I go for the kill?"

"Go for it."

Taiseer pulled the trigger, and through a silencer the bullet passed, and upon the ground splattered blood and a body lay dead with the radio on the ground.

"Good job, let me radio the other teams. We'll take out the others."

[Zhouran]

A couple of days ago, the Sampornese government sent a request for reinforcements to Butuan in order to bolster the security detail for the envoys. However the Zhouranese did not send reinforcements as they believed that the Sampornese were already capable of providing security to the envoys. The attack on the envoys proved otherwise.

Back at the Zhouranese-controlled Taua Military Restriction Zone in the Independent State of Fafo, Zhouranese SIGINT troops gathered intel from the signals they received and discover that an attack on the envoys in Butuan had erupted. Due to the location between Fafo and Butuan, it would take time to send Zhouranese troops to Butuan. The closest Zhouranese unit was a small combat naval group consisting of a Type 1998 Xin Huanghun-class helicopter cruiser, a Type 1998 Keshenrong-class destroyer, a Type 2006 Tieshan-class destroyer, and a Type 2003 Chengshi-class frigate. The unit had just left Naval Station Weiwei and was on its way to the Indian Ocean until it received an order to instead assist the Sampornese forces in Butuan. Onboard the helicopter cruiser was a total of up to 28 helicopters from ZPA Naval Aviation, consisting of 8 Zhi-8-3 utility transport helicopters and 20 Zhi-14-2 attack helicopters. Being only a hundred kilometers northeast of Mindanao, the combat naval group ordered the deployment of attack helicopters in order to provide close air support against the perpetrators in Butuan. On the flight deck of the helicopter cruiser, a total of six Zhi-14-2 attack helicopters took off as they head towards Butuan. On the autocannon-mount under the nose of each of the attack helicopters is the powerful Type 80 30mm revolver cannon, designed to decimate opponents with its lethal firepower, meanwhile each of the helicopters carried two quad-mounted Type 08 long-range anti-tank missiles for a total of eight ATGMs, as well as two cylindrical rocket pods that each carry up to 20 guided fin-folding rockets that each carry a semi-active laser guidance and infrared seeker.

Back at Air Base Taitou, three ZPAAF Jian-30-1-0 highly-advanced stealth fighters took off at full afterburners as they were given the task of possible standoff air support. Inside the main internal bay at the bottom of the fuselage, each of the stealth fighters were carrying four Type 10 high-precision cruise missiles, while for additional ordnance, each of the stealth fighters were carrying two stealthy Type 2010 Tactical Aviation Weapons Pods with one mounted on each of the underwing station near the fuselage. Inside each of the reusable stealth ordnance pod was a single Type 10 cruise missile. As a result, each of the Jian-30-1-0 stealth fighters carried a total of six Type 10 cruise missiles for standoff air support. The stealth fighters were placed on standby and can only fire the cruise missiles once the order has been given.

[Pan-Asiatic States]

Butuan

---

With orders to kill or capture the sniper responsible for the attempted assassination, Squads 4, 5, and 6 carefully advance toward the second Lumad convoy. Three Pan-Asiatic peacekeepers from the 2nd and 3rd had already been injured by the initial enemy rifle-fire so far, none of which were terminal; and the captains of the forward-operation squads were eager to keep momentum as to prevent more collateral damage.

As the wounded were carried-away by medics in stretchers, the rest of the company assumed their positions, encircling the convoy. The Datu of the 29th had been observing the situation through his soldier's helmet-cameras from a nearby APC. Upon observing that all Asian infantrymen were in position, he radioed the order to commence a concentrated suppressive barrage from all sides directed at the Sniper's position.

In the middle of the intense firefight, 3 YW-309 IFVs appeared at the army's rear to end the battle once and for all. A Babaylan from the 4th unleashed a couple of smoke grenade from his hand-carry Type 337 Indigenous Rotary Grenade Launcher, signalling the APCs to advance.

Squad 2's snipers switched-on their thermal sights.

Before the storm began, Kapitan Cai Jun of Squad 3 brought-out a loudspeaker from his Babaylan's arsenal, offering one last olive branch:

"Assailants! You are surrounded. We have been told to give you one of two presents: bullets or dumplings. It is entirely your choice. Lay-down your arms and come-out with your hands behind your head!"

But of course, there were no dumplings. Only bullets. And the Kapitan knew that the snipers knew this as well.

[Samporna]

Butuan

Head of Sampornese Security Detail to PAS forces and Zhouranese forces: Do not fire on the Lumads! I repeat, do not fire on the Lumads! The LLF is not the enemy! There are snipers attempting to sabotage the negotiations by eliminating the LLF envoys; take out the snipers and protect the Lumads!

It seemed that the Pan-Asiatic forces were misunderstanding the situation, believing the attack to have been set up by the Lumads themselves. However, if such was true; then they'd have just killed several of their own comrades, and are endangering the lives of their envoy to the negotiations.It was highly unlikely that they were behind the attack, and more likely that whoever had been supporting the insurgency in the first place wants to prolong it.

NASJ soldier Radu hid behind the cover of an APC near the remaining LLF soldiers, just outside the airport entrance. He and a couple more of his soldiers discussed their plans, sharing it to the nearby LLF soldiers. Radu and his men took out smoke grenades, and threw them all around the area, creating a screen of smoke to defend them from snipers. It was then that they all took off from their hiding spots, rushing towards the airport entrance.

As they got past the glass doors and large glass windows of the airport building, more bullets flew through the air, striking through the glass, taking out a few more Lumads and even some Sampornese as they rushed to get out of sight.

[Samporna]

Taking off from the airbase were two attack helicopters, flying low over the city. They flew together initially, before splitting off as one came to hover about the airport; and the other escorted the 2nd convoy. The moment the snipers would fire another bullet, the helicopter's miniguns would be on them.

[Pan-Asiatic States]

Butuan

---

Babaylan Widjaja Liko of Squad 3 hits over one of his comrades with a rifle butt to the head.

"Not too close, idiot! You're gonna get our people killed!", screams she while firing pistol rounds over the convoys. The Pan-Asiatic infantry's aggressive tactics had almost hit the Lumads, and it had even appeared that some of the Asian soldiers were not properly-oriented on the mission.

The Pan-Asiatic contingent hears the thunderous approach of the Sampornese attack helicopters. All squads of the 29th move-in to secure the area and locate the assailants. The perimeter had been cleared, and the thermal-scoped Asian snipers were ready to engage if and when the target or targets were located.

[Zhouran]

The six Zhi-14-2 attack helicopters had arrive to provide close air support against the unknown perpetrators. After receiving a message from the Sampornese to not fire on the Lumads and look for enemy snipers instead, the helicopters began sweep across the block. "This is Badger 4-9-3, weapons hot, initiate aerial sweeping across the nearby area" said the pilot of the first helicopter. "Roger Badger 4-9-3, Lion 2-1-2 on armed standby" said the pilot of the second helicopter. The helicopters flew low pass several buildings, the main area of search would be the rooftops. However since the snipers themselves would most likely be hiding indoors than on the rooftops, the weapons operator of each helicopter switched to high-resolution multi-spectral infrared in order to spot any snipers hiding inside buildings near windows that have clear line of sight to the envoys. "This is Lima 6-5, four-plus foot-mobiles detected southwest of my position, engaging enemies" said the weapons operator for one of the helicopters as he fired the helicopter's powerful Type 80 30mm revolver cannon. Due to the high rate of fire of the autocannon, Lima 6-5 only fired a few very-high accurate bursts of 30mm armor-piercing high-explosive incendiary rounds towards the enemies hiding in the building, the other helicopters would also follow on by firing their weapons towards any of the concealed snipers.

"This is Foxhound 8-1, we've got two Sampornese attack helicopters here too" said the pilot of one of the Zhi-14-2 attack helicopters as he chuckled. "Looks like we've got a hunting party going on" Badger 4-9-3 replied as he flew his helicopter at high-speed low altitude past the Sampornese and Pan-Asian troops on the ground before firing 12 guided fin-folding rockets towards enemy snipers 23.4 km west of its position. The semi-active laser guidance and infrared seeker of each rocket was enough rain down hell upon the enemies with extreme precision.

[Samporna]

Butuan

Before reaching the area around the airport, the 2nd convoy was stopped by the NASJ. Quickly, an exchange was executed; and the LLF envoy was transferred into a Sampornese vehicle, while the convoy was sent back to their camp to alert them of what had occurred. The Sampornese vehicle hurried on to the airport, deceiving the assassins.

Meanwhile, Taiseer and his team had seen that the presence of the helicopters did not bode well for them. So it was time to execute the 2nd phase of the plan. Nearby, a 2nd team had some MANPADS' with them, firing such into the air and taking out the Sampornese helicopters, and attempting to take out the Zhouranese ones as well. As soon as this was done, an RPG fired into the airport lobby, followed by a team of mercenaries breaking into the lobby to fire at survivors of the blast, whom they would all expect to either be NASJ soldiers, LLF members, or even bystanders.

Iskanderun

"Terrible news everyone!" exclaims a Sampornese man. "There has been an attack in Butuan, an attempted assassination of the envoys! Ongoing now, there is a battle in the airport! Two Sampornese helicopters have been shot down!"

[Zhouran]

Each of the six ZPAN Zhi-14-2 attack helicopters were fitted with the highly-sophisticated Type 97 Airborne Self-Defense Alert System, thus providing them full-coverage 360 degree rapid-reaction to any anti-air threats. While the helicopters were busy raining death upon the unknown enemy snipers, the numerous MAWS of the Type 97 ASDAS was alerting them the presence of MANPAD missiles just almost a fraction of a second after these missiles barely left their launchers. "This is Foxhound 8-1, we've got hostile anti-air missiles heading straight for us" said the pilot of one of the helicopters. "Roger Foxhound 8-1, all helicopters deploy flares" the pilot of Badger 4-9-3 replied. "Look alive boys, we're going in hot" the weapons operator of Lima 6-5 comically chimed in.

"I've got foot-mobiles armed with portable anti-air missiles a couple blocks from my position, suppressing enemies with full force" the weapons operator of Lion 2-1-2 said while firing a barrage of nine guided fin-folding rockets towards the position of the MANPAD troops. As the MANPAD missiles head towards the helicopters, the onboard Type 97 ASDAS of each helicopter automatically activates the deployment of high-temperature flares. Unlike the standard magnesium flares used by other militaries that burn at temperatures close to that of an afterburner, the powerful high-temperature flares used by the ZPA are made out of numerous long-lasting pyrotechnic oxidizers that produce a massive amount of heat in just a second, burning at temperatures much higher than that of an afterburner and thus masking the actual heat signature of an aircraft. Each of the helicopters automatically deployed these high-temperature flares by ejecting them from the countermeasure dispensers of ASDAS using non-pyrotechnical mechanism for rapid efficient deployment. With the flares deployed, the helicopters began taking evasive maneuvers.

"This is Lima 6-5, missiles evaded" said the pilot of one of the helicopters. "Little pricks bugging my style" the pilot of Lion 2-1-2 angrily muttered on communications as his helicopter dodges the MANPAD missiles. Despite evading the MANPAD missiles, the helicopters were low on fuel and ammunition. "This is Badger 4-9-3, big bird is on minimum fuel, all helicopters return to the CNG" the pilot of the lead helicopter told the rest of the group, thus the six helicopters leave Butuan to head back home.

[Samporna]

Rooftops, Butuan

With the helicopters gone, the MANPADS team went into hiding; avoiding the NASJ soldiers as another team massacred the airport lobby. Foreigners, travelers, and media reporters were caught in the crossfire. NASJ soldiers who attempted to rush towards the lobby were shot down by snipers from a nearby building.

"Throw a few grenades to make sure they're dead," Taiseer said on the radio. "Then use smoke grenades to cover your escape. We'll borrow one of the NASJ APCs."

[Khataiy]

Iskanderun, Khataiy

The news was shocking to hear, many questions arose, what could have gone wrong? A Khataiyi foreign ministry official replied to the news, "This is terrible, we need to solve this crisis quickly." Afterwards a foreign ministry statement was released calling on another end to violence and to come to negotiations in Khataiy.

The Arab State of Khataiy

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We call on all sides to end hostilities in Samporna, and we call on the international community and nations involved in the conflict to work to cease hostilities, including the Pan-Asiatic State and Zhourhan, and to encourage dialogue in Iskanderun so a peaceful resolution may come to this conflict, we also call on the government of Samporna to work with the Arab State of Khataiy in hopes of peace in their country.

Signed,
Uthman al-Ghamadi, Foreign Minister of the Arab State of Khataiy

[Zhouran]

Although the six Zhi-14-2 attack helicopters had to return to their CNG due to low fuel and ammunition, eight more had been deployed to Butuan. Like with the first six Zhi-14-2 helicopters sent to Butuan, these eight helicopters were armed with the Type 80 30mm revolver cannon, two quad-mounted Type 08 long-range anti-tank missiles for a total of eight ATGMs, as well as two cylindrical rocket pods that each carry up to 20 guided fin-folding rockets that each carry a semi-active laser guidance and infrared seeker. By the time they were 20 km east of the location of attack, far away from the range of any MANPADS missiles, the helicopters began firing a barrage of guided fin-folding rockets and Type 08 ATGMs towards the enemy positions hiding within buildings. "This is Firefly 7-4-9, all helicopters hunt down all militants at all cost" the pilot of the lead helicopter told the rest of the helicopters. Using high-resolution multi-spectral infrared to see through the smoke, each of the weapons operators could see a group of militants firing at the Sampornese security detail and PAS troops. Not only that, the sight of the airport becoming a bloodbath was visible to the electronic eyes of the helicopters as various non-combatants are caught within the heat of battle.

A ZPAN Zhi-14-2 attack helicopter flying above Butuan

Back at Air Base Taitou, the three ZPAAF Jian-30-1-0 highly-advanced stealth fighters were on standby, flying circles around the base until they received orders to fire. Using the coordinates gathered from the earlier helicopter group, each of the stealth fighters fired all of their Type 10 high-precision cruise missiles, all of which were targeted towards buildings surrounding the airport. With the cruise missiles fired, the stealth fighters landed back at base, however this was not over. Four Qiang-30-1 heavy strike fighters and two Jian-19-3-4 multirole fighter jets were scrambled to provide close air support for the attack helicopters deployed to Butuan. Each of the Qiang-30-1 strike fighters were armed with four Type 88-1 SRAAMs for self-defense, with two on the wingtip rails and two on the most-outer underwing stations. With each of the strike fighters equipped with the Type 512 Tactical Aviation Multiple Weapons System on each of their four remaining underwing stations, all of the Qiang-30-1 strike fighters each carried a total of up to thirty-six Type 93-110 110 kg general-purpose bombs, with each of the lightweight bombs equipped with the highly-sophisticated Type 08 Guided Precision Strike Kit thus turning each of them into high-precision gliding bombs equipped with advanced integrated hybrid guidance and fully-capable of targeting even the most mobile ground targets. On the two under-nacelles stations is the sophisticated Type 523 combined navigation and targeting pod system with the Type 523-1 navigation pod placed on the left under-nacelles station and Type 523-2 targeting pod on the right under-nacelles station. Meanwhile, each of the Jian-19-3-4 were armed with four Type 88-1 SRAAMs, two on the wingtip rails and two on the most-outer underwing stations, as well as four Type 95-1 BVRAAMs placed on the two under-nacelles stations and two centerline underfuselage stations. For air-to-surface, each of the Jian-19-3-4 carried four heavy hard-hitting Type 03 tactical air-to-surface missiles that are placed on the four remaining underwing stations. A Type 09 long-endurance UAV was also deployed from Air Base Taitou, equipped with state-of-the-art recon sensors and tasked with providing real-time intel on the movement of the militants. As they arrive in Butuan, the six planes as well as the UAV began circling around the area of attack, with the fighters cruising at an altitude of 11,350 m while the UAV at around 9,100 m and flying at cruising speeds.

A ZPAAF Qiang-30-1 strike fighter heading towards Butuan

Circling around the city of Butuan, the four ZPAAF Qiang-30-1 strike fighters began deploying their glide bombs, one-by-one, towards coordinates given to them by the eight Zhi-14-2 attack helicopters. Meanwhile, the attack helicopters began to slowly move closer towards their targets. Two of the helicopters focused their sights towards the militants firing at the airport. They began their high-speed low-altitude strafing run towards the militants firing at the airport. To avoid any form of collateral damage, each of the two helicopters fired a burst of 30mm armor-piercing high-explosive incendiary rounds from their Type 80 30mm revolver cannon and a couple of guided fin-folding rockets towards concealed militant positions

Considering how much decades of experiences the battle-hardened ZPA has with overseas military operations and dealing with low-intensity asymmetric militant insurgents abroad, this was just another ordinary day for the ZPA.

[Zhouran]

Despite receiving the orders to head to the Arabian Gulf, Fleet Admiral Aidanrong "Sea Tiger" Nalan, group commander of Combat Naval Group Pitiless Viper 9183, was given a new order: this time ordering him and his CNG to turn around and head towards the Sulu Sea within Samporna. Because of the current situation in Butuan, Samporna and the fear of possible escalations, the People's Defense Council had given the order to Aidanrong in order to avoid the worsening of situations in the Southeast Asian state. At the time Aidanrong received the new order, the CNG had just crossed the Malacca Strait and thus must make a turn to head to the Sulu Sea instead. As a result, this sudden change of plan means that the level of security for the LLF and Sampornese delegates in the Arabian Gulf region has been highly-reduced due to lack of Zhouranese naval presence.

For Senior Marshal Kang Yingyong however, having Zhouranese military presence remain in Samporna goes against his actual motives on the situation. For the Big Boss, an escalation of the conflict in Samporna is what he secretly wanted; the growth of foreign troop deployments to Samporna is what he wanted to see. For Kang, the internal conflict in Samporna escalating into a global conflict akin to the Syrian Civil War is what he wanted to happen, so that Zhouranese forces active in Samporna can pull out and instead be sent to reinforce other Zhouranese forces in other parts of the world. For Kang, the conflict in Samporna was meant to be a distraction, just like how the Syrian Civil War or the Libyan Civil War gave the Zhouranese troops within the regions near those two respective nations gave a reason to further expand their operations, not to mention give the warhawk elements of both the political-moderate and political-hardline the excuse to continue and expand military intervention abroad for war-profiteering.

Within his home office, Kang decided to call his son, who is the commander of Strategic Battle Group Unyielding Absolution of High Justice, and tell him to order his associates to find a way to persuade the PDC to give the order of demobilizing Zhouranese military assets currently involved in Samporna.