Royalists (Syara)

Royalists
Ројалисти
Symbol commonly adopted by Royalist forces
Leaders	Sivo Hadjiev Zlatko Bogdanov Veton Spegelj Naso Dinev Dusko Trcpevski
Dates of operation	1986-1987
Headquarters	Zovahr
Active regions	Syara
Ideology	Monarchism Syaran Conservatism
Allies	Ossoria Ruvelka Acrea
Opponents	Wardens

The Royalists was the common name given to the Syaran military forces that supported the Royal Families of Galania and Makedon during the Refusal War. The Royalists were composed of former members of the Armed Forces of the Syaran Republic, volunteer militias, and conscripted troops that opposed the Wardens. The Royalists prosecuted the war effort by conducting military operations against Warden holdings in Scitaria and Hayreniky, eventually leading to extended campaigns extended into Galania and Symmeria. While they initially held conventional superiority over the Warden armies, Royalist forces gradually lost their advantages over the course of the war before suffering a series of decisive defeats. The last Royalist forces surrendered on 4 October 1987, ending the war.

Origin

In the years after the Siduri War the Royal Families of Galania and Symmeria entered into decline in prominence and influence in Syaran politics, owing in large part to the heavy losses suffered by the Aristokrati during the war. Anti-monarchist sentiment began rising during the Broken Years and the Occupation of Syara, catapulted into national spotlight by the publication of the Warden Way by Serovpe Boyajian. Opposition to the Royal Families and their continued influence in the politics of the Republic began gaining significant ground in the 1960s, leading to the formations of loose coalitions of like-minded conservative and royalist sympathizers within the Syaran Senate and Realm Governments. Cohesive political parties in favor of the continued emphasis of Monarchist influence in Syaran politics did not coalesce until the 1970s, with the first outwardly pro-Royalist faction, the Union of Syaran Heritage, forming in 1973.

Following the onset of the Hayren War relations between the pro-Warden and pro-Royalist political factions began to deteriorate as the war inflamed Warden sentiments, leading to more aggressive campaigning and policy direction aimed at curtailing Royalist influence. Central to this was the formation and expansion of the pro-Warden National Unity Party, which became increasingly influential within the Syaran Senate and Republic's populace. This culminated in the 1982 Senate elections which saw the Wardens gain a clear majority, spreading alarm among Royalist-aligned politicians and public figures. Steady gains by the Wardens were only further exasperated by the sudden and unexpected death of President Krunislav Mircevski.

The ensuing Refusal Crisis began when the Senate, in which the Wardens help a super-majority, began procedures for a constitutional amendment to officially revoke any titles of nobility within Syara. On 22 November King Vasko met with Field Marshal Sivo Hadjiev, supreme commander of the Armed Forces of the Syaran Republic and avowed Royalist, to discuss the possibility of the armed forces preventing the passage of amendment. Hadjiev agreed with the possibility but warned that a significant portion of the armed forces, especially among the enlisted ranks, were Wardens or sympathetic to their cause. Vasko suggested that on the eve of the vote that the army seize control of the Senate, justifying the act as necessary to prevent the illegal act by the Warden Senate. Hadjiev agreed with the idea but was worried about the feasibility of the plan, as Minister of Defense Dako Yordanov Valerieva was a Warden. Hadjiev insisted that with the support of King Dimitar of Galania, enough Makedonian and Galanian officers and men would be able to retain control of the armed forces.

On 15 December Royalist forces attempted to seize control of the Senate building in Zovahr and arrest prominent Warden Senators, but the coup failed to capture most of the Wardens senior leadership, who were able to escape and eventually regroup in Slocova. Hadjiev thereafter declared an emergency in Zovahr, and after two weeks Royalist Senators returned to the Senate building to hold council. With no Wardens present, the Senate declared the previous constitutional session null and void, and thereafter branded interim President Robert Križan unfit for office. Although the Senate attempted to order a mobilization of the Syaran armed forces to enforce the Senate's rule, by the end of December the military had largely dissolved as a coherent force as individual members and entire units defected to the Wardens.

Organization

The Royalists attempted to maintain a continuance of government in spite of the absence of the most of the Senators who had been elected in 1982, complicated by the fact that Križan had been recognized and recorded as the President of the Republic. Attempts to assert the Royalists as the legitimate government continued up until the end of the war, and what was left of the Senate continued to convene throughout the conflict. Senate elections were held in 1986, although in a much abbreviated fashion and limited turnout. With most of the governmental infrastructure and civil institutions still in Royalist territory, the Royalists attempted to maintain the veneer of legitimate governance, employing governing bodies and departments as they had been before the war. Pro-Warden officials were sacked or arrested and replaced by Royalist supporters in both civilian government, local authorities, and what remained of the military. Although the Senate issued a call up for the Armed Forces to mobilize at the behest of Zovahr, Field Marshal Hadjiev reported in late January 1984 that almost 60% of the armed forces had defected to the Wardens.

International Assistance

The Royalists received financial and material support from Acrea, Ossoria, and Ruvelka over the course of the war.