Kyotakavian Liberation Army (Kyotakavian Paramilitary)

Kyotakavian Liberation Army
Kyjorja Literja Armee
Flag of the Kyotakavian Liberation Army, often flown by members and supporters, especially in Nodstok and Jepultipac
Leaders	Regan Klaidev (allegedly) National Command
Dates of operation	1871 –
Allegiance	Kyotakavia
Active regions	Kyotakavia Empire of Svozgarda
Ideology	Do-or-Die Nationalism
Size	~125,000
Opponents	Empire of Svozgarda Svozgardan Armed Forces Protectorate Internal Security Force (PISF) Loyalist paramilitaries Svozgardan Volunteer Defence Force (SVDF) United Svozgarda Corps (USC)
Battles and wars	Kyotakavian-Svogardan conflict

The Kyotakavian Liberation Army (KLA; Kyotakavian: Kyjorja Literja Armee), is a Kyotakavian paramilitary organisation that sought to end Svozgardan rule in Kyotakavia and bring about an independent Kyotakavian Republic. It is the most effective nationalist paramilitary group in Kyotakavia having been responsible for the vast majority of security force deaths over the course of the Kyotakavian-Svogardan conflict. It is designated as a proscribed organisation in both Kyotakavia and Svozgarda though in practice, it is functionally allowed to exist due to an often implemented policy of non-cooperation with Svozgarda on issues of internal security, that has been regularly enacted by nationalist Kyotakavian governments.

As the longest running, continuous Kyotakavian Nationalist paramilitary, the KLA have developed a 'cult of politics' in both Kyotakavia and Svozgarda. In the former, the KLA has occasionally been referred to as the "forever corps," referencing their nearly two century long struggle against the Svozgardan Armed Forces, and the organisation is broadly held in high-esteem, with both current and former members of the KLA often entering political careers, usually supported pretty broadly by Kyotakavian voters. In Svozgarda the KLA is proscribed as a terrorist organisation and its members are subject to arrested and indefinite detention should they be arrested with outward facing rhetoric referring to the KLA as a ruthless terrorist organisation. Behind closed doors however, this status has come with both an indirect respect, as well as a begrudging admiration for its effectiveness and ability to remain in the fight for as long as it has. A leaked 1902 PISF document described the KLA as; "the worst enemy that Svozgarda has faced. Not for any threat they pose to the institutions of the state, or monarchy, nor for any threat to the sovereignty of Svozgarda, but for the dogged determination by which they continue to fight for their cause, never seeming phased by any great failure, always boosted by success, and ruthlessly efficient in the execution of their goals. Where we stomp out a brigade over the course of a decade, another two have been formed elsewhere, and leadership arrested are swiftly replaced with newly promoted officers who juniors accept without chaos. It is a state's armed force, fighting with the flexibility and capability to disappear as if it were but a simple paramilitary. The KLA is an organisation strong enough to withstand the rigours of a two century conflict, and whilst our list of suspected members is long, the political circumstance of Kyotakavia, the Protectorates' lack of cooperation, as well as the status of many of those on said list, makes any move to arrest suspected members; unadvisable, and a broad defeat of the KLA within the next twenty years; impossible."

Whilst the KLA's ability to fight the Svozgardan state had waned over the course of the late 19th, early 20th century, the group bottoming out at less than 10,000 members in 1899, the 1920 general election proved a turning point, with the 'collaboration' of the Populist-Traditionalist government driving recruitment, from a barely fluctuating 22,500, to over 125,000 in less than five years. By 1924, the KLA once again had 5,000 members in every state of Kyotakavia, and between 1920 - 1926 the KLA killed approximately 1,010 members of the Svozgardan security forces, being the second largest cause of career end in the PISF during the course of 1924, killing 309 officers. The largest cause of career end that year was injury in the line of duty, for which the KLA was responsible for 562 (83% of the total), making it both the largest and second largest cause of retirement in the PISF (the third was old age, resultant in the retirement of 107 officers in 1924).

Membership

Total

Membership in the KLA has usually hovered around 50,000 and up until the late-19th century it had never dropped below 35,000. The historic low of 1899 was gradually reversed over the course of the early 20th century, though still less than half of its usual; however the 1920 general election saw a dramatic reversal in fortunes for the KLA as its membership over doubled by 1921 as the Populist-led government increasingly brought in a more reformist nationalism. A dramatic increase in recruitment drives, coupled with the governments increasing unpopularity, meant that by 1925 the KLA numbered over 125,000 members.

KLA Membership by year

Year	Membership
1850	49,904
1875	53,540
1899	9,748
1900	9,889
1905	12,671
1910	18,446
1915	22,931
1920	23,014
1921	49,837
1922	61,750
1923	94,008
1924	103,257
1925	125,781
Current	125,781