Zedif War

Zedif War
Talaharan infantry defending Zedif
Date 4 April 1863 – 1 January 1864 (1863-04-04 – 1864-01-01) Location Zedif, Ninva Desert Result Talaharan reoccupation of Zedif Establishment of a defined border between Talahara and the Awakari Empire
Belligerents
Talahara	Awakar
Commanders and leaders
Aksil Tabat Yabdas Arris
Strength
8,000
Casualties and losses
52 killed 50+ wounded 20 captured

The Zedif War, also known as the Zedif Expedition or the Ninva Border War, was an armed conflict between the United Communes of Talahara and the Awakari Empire. The war saw the United Communes reclaim the trading post town of Zedif in the Ninva Desert which was the southernmost point of influence of the Third Talaharan Kingdom. While the town had few valuable natural resources, it occupied a strategic position in the desert, particularly before the development of steam locomotives and railroads which would later redefine travel across the Ninva.

The conclusion of the war also saw the establishment of a formal border between Talahara and Awakar. Before the war, the boundary between the two countries was porous and undefined, with competing zones of influence over the vast expanses of sparsely populated desert.

Background

Situation in Talahara

During the Talaharan Civil War (1834-1838), Talahara had lost significant territories to foreign occupation, capitalizing on the chaos and lack of legitimate government in the country. These territorial exchanges included the occupation of the Third Talaharan Kingdom's outposts in the Ninva Desert. Since the dissolution of Ihemod's empire, Awakar ruled the Ninva as a rump state and its border with Talahara was ill-defined with significant expanses of sparsely inhabited desert separating the two, punctuated with trading posts, nomadic camps that didn't care for borders, and some small oasis communites. The town of Zedif was established in the 1680s as a Talaharan trading post, trafficking in trade goods from the south, as well as slaves. While the slave trade had significantly declined by the 19th century, Zedif remained a significant settlement and the southernmost reach of Talahara's control over the Ninva.

In December 1836, the Talaharan royalist faction, which already had poor relations with its southern neighbour, suffered a massive blow in the Talaharan Civil War with the surrender of the Royal Talaharan Army at Takalt. While the republican government controlled most of the country at that stage, there was little international recognition of the new government. Furthermore, in 1835 the Kingdom of Yisrael had successfully annexed a region of northwestern Talahara and formed a colonial protectorate. To the south, the Awakari Empire likewise pushed soldiers north to occupy the town of Zedif, aware that the prospects of the royalists were rapidly declining.

After the war, Talahara was in a period of drastic political and economic reorganization, gradually stabilizing by the late 1840s and early 1850s. With the basic survival of the United Communes secured, many political leaders and veterans of the civil war began to push to reclaim territories lost in the war. Combined with concerns regarding territorial defence, a turn to a hawkish government led to the foundation of the Talaharan Army Corps in 1854, initially comprised of former Black Guard units, expanding to a force of 40,000 by 1860. While the Protectorate of Taršiš remained well-defended and supported by Yisrael, the Talaharan government became increasingly concerned with the situation to the south.

In addition to the occupation of Zedif, the United Communes had endured a tense relationship with Awakar for the duration of its existence. Clashes between different authorities and movement along the permeable, undefined border had roused tensions over the previous decade and a half. In November 1862, a closed session of the Supreme Legislative Council secretly approved an expedition to reclaim Zedif and impose a defined border with the Awakari Empire, though an official communiqué was forwarded to Agnannet in advance, listing demands, though no ultimatum was issued.

Preparation and expedition

A Talaharan expeditionary force of 8,000 soldiers was assembled in March 1863 in Alud and departed for Zedif soon after. The majority of Talaharan soldiers were mounted infantry equipped with rifled muskets which had started to be issued as standard in 1855. The Zedif Expedition covered the 270 km from Alud in 14 days and advanced immediately on the town. The expeditionary force alone outnumbered the permanent population of the town and overwhelmed the Awakari garrison which surrendered after a brief standoff on April 4. The task then fell to the expeditionary force to hold Zedif against a possible reprisal, fortifying the town. Scouts were also dispatched across the desert and supplies were ushered in to support the expeditionary force over the summer as the Talaharan government awaited a response from Awakar.

News of the capture of Zedif followed the arrival of Talahara's telegram by only three weeks and a detachment of the Imperial Awakari Army was already en route from Ekelhoc to reinforce Zedif's garrison when Awakar was poised to react. The Awakari cavalry arrived on April 10 but held back from after determining that the town was already under Talaharan control. Riders were dispatched to obtain further instructions. While waiting for reinforcements, the Awakari troops engaged in a campaign of disruption around the town, guarding avenues for traders and intercepting supplies and commerce. Probing attacks followed to misdirect the defenders and ascertain weak points in the defences.