Tusaderian Civil War

Tusaderian Civil War
Part of the Perasan Socialist Crisis
Date February 28, 1978 – February 9, 1986 (7 years, 11 months, 1 week and 5 days) Location Tusaderi Result Pyrrhic EST alliance victory Removal of Qadimah leadership Failure to dismantle insurgency Withdrawal of Prokho and EST armed forces from Tusaderi Prokho-Malateri Pact of 1981
Belligerents
Coalition: Prokhogorsk Tusaderi Malateria (1981-1985) New Colcha Herastadt	Insurgency: Qadimah Ostroci (covert)
Commanders and leaders
Dolzog Nipretina † Magan Sazkun Pavlenko Mirovnic Tariq Al-Altabir Semran Zayani Sivan Pashevari	Olgari Al-Binteb
Strength
EST forces: 148,000 100,000 48,000 Other forces: 23,000	Qadimah forces: ~200,000
Casualties and losses
Alliance casualties: 16,039 killed (total)	Qadimah casualties: ~50,000 killed (Prokho estimates)
Tusaderian civilians: 300,000–500,000 killed 2-5 million displaced

The Tusaderian Civil War was a civil war in Tusaderi waged between the national government supported by the EST and Qadimah insurgency supported by UNISOC. Following the insurgent takeover of government and subsequent intervention by Prokhogorsk and Esermian Strategic Treaty allies in the region, the conflict quickly became a war by proxy between those and that of UNISOC; with each bloc fighting for their stake in geopolitical and ideological control over Siradia. The conflict is primarily recognized as a pyrrhic victory for coalition forces which lost 16,039 military personnel, and directly resulted in the deaths of at least 300,000 civilians and displacement of over 2 million.

Following President Tariq Al-Altabir's declaration of withdrawal from UNISOC in 1976, Tusaderi fell into disorder. Revolutionary factions took up arms against the Al-Altabir government, the most prominent of which being the pro-UNISOC Qadimah, made up of militant socialists who played a key role in the 1971 revolution against the monarchy. By 1977 the Qadimah had seized several villages and small towns, striking with impunity against the underfunded police force and military. In early 1978, rebel forces attacked the capital, with the Qadimah claiming control over the nation as the de facto government. President Al-Altabir was evacuated to a safe house near the northern border by Prokho intelligence services, but was later found and executed by insurgents in late 1979.

Having observed the chaos and takeover in Tusaderi, Prime Minister Dolzog Nipretina (acting on behalf of the Al-Altabir government) authorized military action on grounds of "deterring the threat to homeland security and regional stability". Prokho military forces mobilized in early 1978, but following a series of successful conventional offensives became bogged down by determined Qadimah guerilla action over the course of the next 7 years. Prokho counter-insurgency efforts were frustrated by a resentful, uncooperative populace and were ineffectual in locating many of the Qadimah cells operating throughout the country. Public support in Prokhogorsk for the war steadily deteriorated as the economic and human cost of the conflict rose, leading to dissent against the government, most particularly with the ill-fated Lahtselka Uprising.

Under Prime Minister Pavlenko Mirovnic, Prokhogorsk officially began its withdrawal from Tusaderi in January of 1986 over the course of the month. After years of conflict, the Qadimah splintered and continued warring for control of the Tusaderian hinterland. The Prokho-installed government slowly crumbled without military support, its territories devolving into lawlessness before it was toppled in a coup by former general Semran Zayani. Having achieved few lasting objectives in the course of the conflict and drawing the ire of many, the coalition were nonetheless vindicated in the eyes of the public for their destruction of the Qadimah and halting of Socialist encroachment in the region. To this day the civil war marks one of the most destructive and controversial conflicts of the 20th century.

Background

With the foundation of United Socialist Coalition (UNISOC) by Ostroci at the beginning of 1968, many nations in Esermia and Siradia who were members of the former COMINSOC or aligned to its Socialist position promptly joined the bloc. With the creation of the new bloc, neighboring Perasan nations such as Terados and Kapania quickly aligned with the bloc in the months following its conception. In Tusaderi President Tariq Al-Altabir, who had been in office since the revolution of 1971, was optimistic for the proposed military and economic benefits offered by UNISOC. After entering negotiations with Premier Pesek of Ostroci in late 1972, Tusaderi became a member in March of 1973. Surveys two years later in early 1975 showed that 86% of Tusaderian citizens were positive towards the Al-Altabir administration and the "brand new Tusaderi", as many were calling it.

The Tusaderian economy was considerably strengthened in the years following, owed largely to UNISOC support in rapid industrialization and structural reform. With this came a growing instability as longstanding communities and institutions were uprooted in the process. Al-Altabir, a stalwart moderate in the polarized revolutionary government, grew increasingly concerned by these developments, yet voiced nothing publicly "for the betterment of the nation". Al-Altabir also disagreed on other aspects as per UNISOC conditions, such as the increased Socialist representation in the national government and the proposed construction of several UNISOC military bases across the country. The signing of the Global Resources Scheme (GRS) in October of 1975, which sought to aggregate member nation natural resources under the direction of Ostroci, outraged Al-Altabir in what he saw as "attack on national sovereignty". Pressures continued to mount within the government between moderate and revolutionary elements, now backed with UNISOC support, as Al-Altabir and his cabinet steadily expressed desires on leaving the bloc altogether. This notion endured following deterioration between UNISOC and the EST, and diplomatic pressure from northern neighboring nation Prokhogorsk.

Withdrawal from UNISOC

In July of 1976, following a successful senate vote boycotted by the Socialist wing, President Al-Altabir declared the withdrawal of Tusaderi from UNISOC, which was rejected by CENCOMM in Strazhimr. Tensions in Siradia rose as trade and diplomatic ties between nations were severed. While Al-Altabir and the Tusaderian government refused to comply with UNISOC demands, the stability of the nation collapsed, with conflicts old and new being taken to the streets.

Foundation of the Qadimah

A large number of the spectrum who rebelled against the Al-Altabir government had coalesced to create the Muhariz-min-Qadimah, an armed organization which believed in a pro-Socialist Tusaderi and strongly held onto their traditional ethnic roots. Much of the Qadimah was comprised of ex-military, many of which had participated during the 1971 revolution. The majority of equipment, hardware, and weaponry used by the Qadimah were antiquated leftovers from previous decades or illegally imported from Kapania. It is believed civilian vessels were used to smuggle shipments of military-grade equipment across the sea to the south to be unloaded at secluded coasts of south-western Tusaderi. The Qadimah grew exponentially between 1976 and 1978, and did so relatively unnoticed as the government focused on external political relations and concerns.

1978 Dalhamiyah Revolution

Government sources claim that by 1978, the Qadimah had grown to an approximate size of 150,000 insurgents. This number is believed to have been a collective figure of all insurgents scattered across Tusaderi, including rural militias opposed to the anti-agrarian policies of the government (many of which would eventually become absorbed by the Qadimah). The Qadimah began appearing much more publicly in early January, both in the main cities and towns of Tusaderi, and the capital itself.

The first known clash between the Qadimah and police forces was on the February 2, 1978 where a large group of insurgents opened fire on a police station and surrounding apartment blocks in the town of Abdulamun. It is claimed that over 20 police officers and 35 civilians were killed or mortally wounded in the gunfire. Local news reports spread quickly across Tusaderi, and a national emergency was declared by February 3 when the insurgents struck in a co-ordinated series of attacks across the nation. As governmental forces were deployed to the reaches of Tusaderi, Qadimah insurgents began covertly amassing in the capital for their main strike.

It is believed that the main body of Qadimah insurgents had arrived at the capital by the morning of the February 6. Distraction forces performed attacks in surrounding towns before the vanguard executed their main attack at midday from within. Rapidly they overwhelmed the military and police present and stormed government buildings and residences of known politicians and officials. Over 200 civilians were killed, but the amount of police or Qadimah casualties is unknown. Al-Altabir narrowly managed to escape Dalhamiyah by helicopter, sustaining small-arms fire from the streets below. The president and a small number of government officials escaped to a safehouse near Sudaleqah in northern Tusaderi. The government of Prokhogorsk was aware of the uprising in Tusaderi, but had not been notified of Al-Altabir's escape and were unaware of his status. Al-Altabir's exile signaled the official Qadimah takeover in the capital, where they seized a substantial number of weaponry and intelligence, and formed a semblance of government.

Prokho intervention

On the morning of February 7, 1978, insurgent forces used the government communication facilities at Dalhamiyah to broadcast on international frequencies. This message informed that the Qadimah were now in control of Tusaderi. Dolzog Nipretina, the standing Prime Minister of Prokhogorsk reacted quickly, shocked by the news and demanding insurgent forces immediately relinquish control to the legitimate government. On February 21, Nipretina announced that Prokho troops were to be mobilized to neutralize the insurgent threat if they did not cease their occupation. The leader of the Qadimah, Ogari Al-Binteb, condemned Prokhogorsk for their threat of military action.

The Kafirin are not to interfere with Siradian matters. Their barbarity against our people is not forgotten, and their bodies shall be buried by the shifting dunes, their blood will run red in streams. By the stone I swear these things shall be done.
     — Olgari Al-Binteb, February 22, 1978

Nipretina personally met with Aleksy I at Yowbrez Palace early in the morning of February 23. It is reported the two discussed the implications of going to war and how the people would react. The meeting ended briefly after 45 minutes, and Nipretina headed immediately to Manstedten by air, where he attended the scheduled EST Assembly session at approximately noon. Nipretina, joined by his war cabinet, and allegedly Al-Altabir himself, met with leaders of other EST member states. According to Minister of Defence Vadim Slaseyu, the cabinet stressed the importance of defeating the Qadimah as fast as possible, calling on New Colcha in particular to provide armoured units for desert warfare, and Herastadt to provide logistical aid for operations along the southern coast. Malateria and its armed forces, largely outdated and untrained, were hesitant to take part in the war, but would eventually join Prokhogorsk in defensive operations in 1981. The session ended after 3 hours of negotiations.

On February 25, Nipretina officially authorized the mobilization of military forces and declared the Qadimah as a threat to border security and integrity of the region. Mobilizations started the next day, with the majority of troops being transported from Vazhgorskoye or Nartygort. By February 28, all deployed Prokho military units arrived and were stationed south-west of Dubravata at the Prokhogorsk-Tusaderi border.

Baq'ab Campaign

The first Prokho offensives, supported by New Colchan expeditionary armored forces, began in March of 1978. The objective was to pacify the northern Tusaderan territory of Baq'ab and restore government control. Prokho forces believed that seizing the regional capital Al Kuhdad early would provide support from the local population, who were majority ethnic Mosumian. The major city would also be a suitable staging ground for a future offensive on the national capital of Dalhamiyah.

Liberation of Al Kuhdad

At 11:30 of March 1, after 3 hours of movement in convoy, elements of the Prokho 5th Army came under small arms fire in Faizat Pass. Prokho armored vehicles returned fire with heavy munitions, destroying Qadimah defensive positions in the vicinity. No casualties were taken in the exchange, however sporadic small arms fire continued to harass the convoy as they progressed. Prokho forces continued towards Al Kuhdad, vigilant to their mountainous surroundings.

At 16:00 the 3rd Army, which had bypassed Faizat Pass, met with the 5th Army and Tusaderian loyalist forces around twelve kilometers outside Al Kuhdad. Artillery units from both armies began co-ordinated shelling of Qadimah positions within and around the town, with the defenders caught unprepared and lacking the means to effectively respond. Shelling continued until 18:20, as 9th Armoured Div., 16th Armoured Div. and a detachment of the 32nd Engineers Bat. moved in on the city with limited resistance. The city, with large open areas and wide streets, was cleared by block through the night, with Tusaderian forces supporting their advance.

Al Kuhdad was declared liberated the following day, and the government flag was raised over the Council Building to the cheers of loyalist soldiers. The liberation of Al Kuhdad established a strong foothold in the region and created a safe staging link to Prokho logistical bases across the border.

Southern Advances

The rapid offensive and seizure of Al Kuhdad by Prokho forces left the Qadimah military leadership in a state of confusion and disarray. With no advance warning, and much of their military deployed elsewhere, they scrambled to contain the breach by any means. In Baq'abi towns such as Zala'i and Ahmra, Police armouries were opened to hastily assembled militias, ordered to resist the invaders and prevent their advance. Local women were put to task in manufacturing Bottle Bombs, and roads were torn up and blocked with debris.

These efforts were largely in vain however, as within ten days the Prokho-Loyalist force overran the province and were closing in on Dalhamiyah. Prokho forces largely bypassed hostile towns, which were instead cut off and left for the Tusaderian Loyalists to pacify. Now under the command of General Semran Zayani, these Loyalist earned a fearsome reputation for the indiscriminate bombardment of settlements believed to be Qadimah aligned.

Death of Al-Altabir

With Prokho forces closing in on Dalhamiyah, former President Al-Altabir consulted with Prokho leadership on strategy to effectively restore power to the pre-Qadimah leadership, and to publically sell the Prokho intervention as a necessary restoration of order. It was decided that Al-Altabir would move out of hiding and accompany the Prokho-Tusaderian force into Dalhamiyah. Positioning himself as the face of the intervention to the wider media, Al-Altabir would be reinstated as the provisional leader of the country until the restoration of government control.

Taking a covert military escort through the country, Al-Altabir was travelling southwards on the Z-1 National Highway when his convoy was attacked by a Qadimah ambush. Detonating a large roadside bomb, the leading Prokho APC was instantly destroyed, sending shrapnel into Al-Altabir's own vehicle and immobilising it when the two collided shortly after. Surviving the crash, Al-Altabir's personal guards joined in a firefight with insurgents outside the vehicle, with the convoy's rear APC disembarking it's troops in support and opening fire.

Al-Altabir was rushed to the surviving APC, which attempted to push through the ambush and make it to the nearby town of Ghala. However, the vehicle was hit by an RPG round to the cabin, immediately killing the crew and immobilising the vehicle. The Qadimah ambushers soon overran the few Prokho and Tusaderian soldiers defending the position, and captured Al-Altabir, injured in the rear of the last APC. While being dragged from the wreckage, Al-Altabir unpinned a grenade on a Qadimah fighter's vest, killing himself and five others in the resulting explosion.