View source for Operation Afton

{{Infobox military conflict
|conflict    = Operation Afton
|partof      = the [[Zalluabed civil war]]
|image       = Night_launch_of_F-18s_from_USS_GHW_Bush_(CVN-77)_in_September_2014.JPG
|caption     = [[Albarine]]an [[Z-11 Eagle]]s take off from the [[ZMS Abotsford]] to strike [[Kubani Unit]] targets, December 2023
|date        = 30 November 2023 - present <br />({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=11|day1=30|year1=2023|month2=|day2=|year2=}})
|place       = [[People's Republic of Qahaza|Qahazar]]<br><small>Spillovers in [[Zalluabed]]</small>
|coordinates =
|map_type    =
|latitude    =
|longitude   =
|map_size    =
|map_caption =
|map_label   =
|territory   =
|result      =  
|combatant1  = [[File:Western_Euronia_Defense_Alliance_logo.png|20px]] [[WEDA]] <br> [[File:New_flag_of_ANS.png|20px]] [[Alliance of Nortuan States|ANS]]
|combatant2  = {{flagicon|Qahazar}} [[People's Republic of Qahaza]]
|commander1  = {{flagicon|Zamastan}} [[Sabine Armitage]] <br> {{flagicon|Emmiria}} [[Akram Sulaiman]] <br> {{flagicon|Albarine}} [[Sadie Melhaven]] <br> {{flagicon|Caspiaa}} [[Tullia Grönberg]] <br> {{flagicon|Quetana}} [[Emília Medeiros]] <br> {{flagicon|Sulifa}} [[Mohammed bin Farhan|Mohammed Farhan]] <br> {{flagicon|Qolaysia}} [[Elihu Saing]] <br> {{flagicon|Saint Croix and Bens}} [[Wira Santoso]] <br> {{flagicon|Alcarres}} [[Akkin Gunaydin]] <br> {{flagicon|Besmenia}} [[Elisabeth Rademacher]] <br> {{flagicon|Elbresia}} [[Alexander Desende]] <br> {{flagicon|Greater Normark}} [[Dan Haugen]] <br> {{flagicon|Saint Offeat}} [[Lynne Bushore]] <br> {{flagicon|Kalea}} [[Noa Apekalmoa]]
|commander2= {{flagicon|Qahazar}} [[Suhaib el-Dar Moussa]] <br> {{flagicon|Qahazar}} [[Awni el-Hameed]] <br> {{flagicon|Qahazar}} [[Khaleefa el-Abdi]] <br> {{flagicon|Qahazar}} [[Badr Ozer]]
|units1      =
|units2      =
|units3      =
|strength1   = 
|strength2   = 
|casualties1 = 
|casualties2 = Multiple anti-aircraft defenses, airforce assets, and army vehicles, artillery, and tanks damaged or destroyed
|casualties3 = 
|notes       = 
}}

'''Operation Afton''' is the codename for an international military operation in [[Zalluabed]]'s [[People's Republic of Qahaza|separatist Qahazar region]] which began on November 30th, 2023, following [[2023 Tarijar Strait drone attacks|a series of drone attacks]] by the [[Kubani Unit]] across the [[Tarijar Strait]], namely in port cities in [[Emmiria]] and [[Albarine]], as well as commercial shipping vessels transiting the strait. The operation, named for the [[wikipedia:Scottish language|Offeatean]] word meaning "evening", was the first joint [[WEDA]]-[[Alliance of Nortuan States|ANS]] military campaign. The mission authorized member states to establish and enforce a no-fly zone over the [[People's Republic of Qahaza]], and to use "all necessary measures" to prevent attacks on civilians, which turned into a bombing campaign by the forces of [[WEDA]] and [[Alliance of Nortuan States|ANS]] against [[Suhaib el-Dar Moussa]]'s military installations and vehicles. The coalition's objectives did not include aiding the [[Feyt Zalluabed Ayat|rebel forces]]' efforts to take control of territory held by the government or PRQ.

Following the Saint Raneau drone strikes, several countries prepared to take immediate military action at a summit in [[Viitaniemi]], and operations commenced on the same day with a strike by [[Emmiria]]n, [[Albarine]]an, and [[Greater Normark|Normarkian]] fighter jets, then [[Zamastan]]ian and [[Quetana]]n forces conducting strikes from ships and submarines via cruise missiles and air assets bombing Moussa's forces near [[Kubani]], [[Tuim]], and [[Toutmoul]]. 

==Background==
==Deployed forces==
*[[Albarinean Armed Forces]]
**[[Albarine Navy]]
***[[AASC Tammany]]
***[[AASC Resterson]]
***[[AASC Altai]]
**[[Albarine Air Force]]
***28 [[Z-11 Eagle]]s
***10 [[AV-44 Varrie]]s

*[[Besmenian Federal Army]]
**[[Besmenian Navy]]
***[[BMS Leina]]
***[[BMS Maurenmark]]
***[[BMS Metakumburg]]

*[[Caspiaan Armed Forces]]
**[[Royal Caspiaan Navy]]
***[[Penttinen-class frigate|Frigate]] CNS Aksel Hagen
***[[Penttinen-class frigate|Frigate]] CNS Nikolai Finne
***[[Schelde-class corvette|Corvette]] CNS Sveinung Sund

*[[Elbresian Armed Forces]]
**[[Elbresian Navy]]
***''Clarkson''-class carrier [[ESS Cormac Cowpeland]]
***Frigate ESS Olyn
***Frigate ESS Connaghyn

*[[Emmirian Armed Forces]]
**[[Emmirian Navy]]
***''Naheera''-class carrier [[ENVS Qayyom]]
***Corvette [[ENVS Kanoun]]
***Corvette [[ENVS Nushanjah]]
***Corvette [[ENVS Akhalra]]
***Corvette [[ENVS Mashaid]]
***Frigate [[ENVS Arreba]]
***Frigate [[ENVS Zaqaz]]
***Destroyer [[ENVS Mutasim]]
***Destroyer [[ENVS Rushdi]]
**[[Emmirian Air Force]]
***12 [[Kowsir-2]]
***8 [[Z-17 Condor]]

*[[Kalean Democratic Forces]]
**[[Kalean Maritime Patrol]]
***Carrier [[KMP Kapena Aukai]]
***Frigate [[KMP ʻUhane Kai]]
***Frigate [[KMP Lua Makani]]
***Frigate [[KMP Kālepa]]
***Frigate [[KMP Hoomanawanui]]
**[[Kalean Air Patrol]]
***90 [[Wikipedia:AIDC_F-CK-1_Ching-kuo|Mokulele Type 4]]

*[[Kyti Defense Forces]]
**[[Kytian Navy]]
***Destroyer [[KNS Saint Boswell]]

*[[New Anean Armed Forces]]
**[[New Anea Navy]]
***Frigate [[NSR Coldback]]

*[[Normarkian Armed Forces]]
**[[Royal Normarkian Navy]]
***[[Fridtjof Nansen-class frigate|Frigate]] [[HRMS Jan Helmutsen]]

*[[Qolaysian National Armed Forces]]
**[[Qolaysian National Armed Forces#Navy|Qolaysian Navy]]
***[[Martadi-class frigate|Frigate]] [[QNI Ahted Martadi]]
***[[Martadi-class frigate|Frigate]] [[QNI Girani Tiatan]]
***[[Tahillah class corvette|Corvette]] [[QNI Sirait Samusra]]
***[[Tahillah class corvette|Corvette]] [[QNI Surya Tanaya]]
***[[Pegoro class corvette|Corvette]] [[QNI Gerhard Tanandar]]
**[[Qolaysian National Armed Forces#Air Force|Qolaysian Air Force]]
***4 [[Kowsir-2]]
***6 [[S-25 Sparrow]]

*[[Quetanan Armed Forces]]
**[[Quetanan Navy]]
***Frigate [[QNAV Netuno Siqueira]]
***Frigate [[QNAV Ivo Bettencourt]]
***Frigate [[QNAV Alex Bastos]]
***Frigate [[QNAV Noemí Sequeira]]
***Corvette [[QNAV Manel Lobo]]
***Corvette [[QNAV Carlito Mendez]]
***[[Ronalla-class submarine|Submarine]] [[QNAV Ronalla]]
**[[Quetanan Air Force]]
***4 [[AV-44 Varrie]]
***7 [[Z-14 Osprey]]
***4 [[Z-17 Condor]]

*[[Saint Offeat Armed Forces]]
**[[Royal Offeatean Navy]]
***[[Kieran-class destroyer|Destroyer]] [[OFE Houghly]]

*[[Zamastanian Armed Forces]]
**[[Zamastanian Naval Forces]]
***[[Talon-class nuclear aircraft carrier|''Talon''-class carriers]] [[ZMS Abotsford]] and [[ZMS Dubois]]
***[[Tregueux-class cruiser|Cruiser]] [[ZMS Sundress]]
***[[Tregueux-class cruiser|Cruiser]] [[ZMS Winterschede]]
***[[Percilius-class destroyer|Destroyer]] [[ZMS Adnet]]
***[[Percilius-class destroyer|Destroyer]] [[ZMS Émilien]]
***[[Percilius-class destroyer|Destroyer]] [[ZMS Saunier]]
***[[Percilius-class destroyer|Destroyer]] [[ZMS Shorthand]]
***[[Pemberton-class destroyer|Destroyer]] [[ZMS Gounelle]] 
***[[Pemberton-class destroyer|Destroyer]] [[ZMS Coquelin]]
***[[Osprey-class littoral combat ship|Corvette]] [[ZMS Marhe]]
***[[Osprey-class littoral combat ship|Corvette]] [[ZMS Galloway]]
***[[Osprey-class littoral combat ship|Corvette]] [[ZMS Houghton]]
***[[Jade-class nuclear submarine|Submarine]] [[ZMS Corriveau]]
**[[Zamastanian Air Force]]
***4 [[Z-14 Osprey]] multi-role fighters
***8 [[Z-17 Condor]] multi-role fighters
***2 [[I-22 Moon]] strategic bombers
***5 [[V-99 Eclipse]] Aerial Refueling Tanker/Airlift Aircraft
***18 [[wikipedia:General Atomics MQ-1C Gray Eagle|Toring-1C Black Owl]] drones

==Timeline==
===November 30===
WEDA and ANS announced the beginning of military operations over Qahazar and the implementation of a no-fly-zone, warning the [[Zakaraban]]-based military regime to refrain from intervening. The first main strike involved the launch of 112  cruise missiles from [[Zamastan]]ian, [[Quetana]]n, and [[Elbresia]]n ships against shoreline air defenses of the Qahaza Brigade. The first round of aircraft sorties began when Albarinean [[Z-11 Eagle]]s, Emmirian [[Kowsir-2]]s and [[Z-17 Condor]]s, and Normarkian Jas 39 Gripen fighter jets operating from the airbase in [[Tarijibar]] and the [[ENVS Qayyom]] struck targets in the city of [[Kubani]], including a series of warehouses reported to be storing ammunition and rockets from Suhaib el-Dar Moussa's militant stockpiles, and a series of launch pads from which the kamikaze drones had been fired.

Sustained anti-aircraft fire erupted in [[Tuim]] at around 22:33 local time. Three [[I-22 Moon]] bombers targeted 45 hardened aircraft shelters at an airfield near [[Toutmoul]]. At the same time, Zamastanian Air Force fighter jets conducted missions searching for Kubani Unit ground forces to attack. [[Z-11 Eagle|Electronic warfare Z-11s]] jammed Moussa's radar and communications.

Admiral [[Christopher Gest]], the commander in charge of Operation Afton, states that there would be continuous allied air cover over Qahazar, and that the no-fly zone "is effectively in place". A [[V-99 Eclipse]] was recorded warning a shipping vessel "If you attempt to leave port, you will be attacked and destroyed immediately." 

2 Albarinean [[AV-44 Varrie]]s intercept and guide away a [[Royal Zalluabed Air Force]] [[IL9-Ibis]] near the coast of [[Tuim]].

===December 1===
Three [[Zamastan]]ian [[Z-17 Condor]]s and an [[Emmiria]]n [[Kowsir-2]] were on a mission to strike an airfield east of [[Tuim]]. While en route, an AEW aircraft alerted them to the presence of two [[Kubani Unit|Qahaza Brigade]] [[IL5-Nightjar]]s. One of the Condors quickly locked on to one off the IL5s, and launched two short range air-to-air missile. The first missile brought down the IL5, with the second hitting the falling wreckage. Another Condor downed the other IL5 with a missile, with the whole engagement lasting forty seconds. The aircraft proceeded to bomb the airfield, destroying a confirmed 9 aircraft and several vehicles on the ground.

A [[Yuan]]eze freighter is intercepted and seized by the [[Emmiria]]n ship [[ENVS Kanoun]] while en route to port in [[Kubani]], and is revealed to be attempting to smuggle weapons, including surface to air missiles, to the Kubani Unit.

===December 2===
A [[Caspiaa]]n [[Royal Caspiaan Air Force|Royal Air Force]] [[Z-11 Eagle]] flying as part of a joint strike mission with Zamastanian and [[Saint Offeat]]ean fighters is shot down by anti-aircraft artillery two miles inland after dropping bombs on a road network linking the PRQ naval base of Timm Qasr with an air strip near [[Tuim]]. The coalition package was engaged by IU-23-2 ground anti-aircraft guns and two Kubani Unit gunboats in the harbor. The aircraft crashed in a field just south of Tuim, and the pilot, Lieutenant Svend Slette, is presumed dead, making him the first coalition casualty in Operation Afton.

==Reactions and criticism==
There has been criticism over the handling of the operation and the belief that the [[Sabine Armitage|Armitage]] administration failed to adequately consult [[Congressional Hall (Zamastan)|Congressional Hall]] ahead of the first strikes. The Armitage administration defended its handling of the [[Zalluabed civil war|Zalluabed crisis]], drawing a clear line between military and political objectives. [[Secretary of State (Zamastan)|Secretary of State]] [[Chantelle Carson]] told reporters "We are not engaged in militarily-driven regime change. Instead, the administration is engaged in time-limited, scope-limited action with other countries to protect civilians as well as our allies from forces loyal to el-Dar Moussa."

*{{flag|Beleroskov}}: President [[Vladimir Belskorski]] called the operation "dangerously escalating an already dire situation" and suggested that WEDA should cooperate with Zalluabed's military to combat the Kubani Unit. 

*{{flag|Sateroc}}: President [[Oljon Slach]] condemned the drone strikes, but urged WEDA and ANS to "tread carefully" and called on them to end military operations in favor of a humanitarian route.

[[Category:Coalition of Crown Albatross]][[Category:Zalluabed]][[Category:Albarine]][[Category:Zamastan]]