Jiddiya

Emirate of Jiddiya
Flag
Capital	Jiddiya City
Government
• King	Qaaid el-Taha
• Prime Minister	Basheer el-Rashed
• Foreign Minister	Farajallah Naim
Population
• 2020 estimate	15,331,000
Currency	denier
Date format	mm-dd-yyyy

The Emirate of Jiddiya, most commonly known as Jiddiya, is a nation located on the continent of Adula, bordered by Durnstaal, Mulfulira, Alcarres, and Emmiria. It encompasses the southern shoreline of Lake Gravenna and includes a narrow geographic panhandle that extends to the Albarine Sea, connected to the port of Sohuraq and purchased in 2006 from Emmiria. Its executive administration is centered in Jiddiya City on the eastern shore of Lake Gravenna, which is also the largest city in the country with over 1.25 million people. Jiddiya is ruled by King Qaaid el-Taha, though most legislative and executive affairs are carried out by the Prime Minister, currently Basheer el-Rashed.

The territory that now constitutes Jiddiya was the site of several ancient cultures and civilizations. The prehistory of Jiddiya shows some of the earliest traces of human activity in the world. Islam is the largest religion in the country, with more than 95% of people identifying their belief as such, though there is a sizable Orthodox Christian minority in the northwest lakeside border city of Al Nuzheer. The Jiddiyan Civil War upended the rule of warlords and established a democratic system of government backed by the international community at large, though it has faced domestic challenges.

The state has attracted criticism for a variety of reasons including: its role in regional conflicts, suspected sponsorship of Islamic terrorism with groups such as Al-Fijar, its failure to adopt adequate measures against human trafficking, and its poor human rights record, which has been characterized by the problematic treatment of women, excessive and often extrajudicial use of capital punishment, state-sponsored discrimination against religious minorities and atheists, state-sanctioned racism and antisemitism, and its strict interpretation of Shari'a law. Historically, it has run into diplomatic issues with neighboring Durnstaal and Emmiria over these strict policies, although modern day reformations and progressions have led to leniency in both ends of policy. Jiddiya is a member of the Coalition of Crown Albatross.

History

Old History

With its long sea border between eastern and western civilizations, Jiddiya has long existed at a crossroads of cultures with a strategic location in terms of trade on the north end of the Emmirian Plateau. Large settlements for their era existed in the mountains of northern Jiddiya as early as 5000 BCE.

The Shaniti Kingdom came into existence from at least the 11th century BCE. The four major kingdoms or tribal confederations in Jiddiya were: Taba, Yadramout, Sataban, and Ja'in. The Shaniti rulers adopted the title Tukarrib; generally thought to mean unifier, or a priest-king, or the head of the confederation of Northern Emmirian kingdoms, the "king of the kings". The role of the Tukarrib was to bring the various tribes under the kingdom and preside over them all. The Shaniti built the Great Dam of Farib around 940 BCE. The dam was built to withstand the seasonal flash floods surging down the valley from Lake Gravenna.

Ruins of F'rookajik fortress in Dimarhl, where Sheik al-Mutahhari barricaded himself against Emmirian Empire attacks

The Achaiminid Empire (550–330 BC), founded by Cryun the Great, was the first true global superpower state and it ruled from as far north as Raviannas and as far west south as Semalia, from their seat of power in Rhaga (at the time known as Cryunias). It was the largest empire yet seen and the first world empire. The Achaiminid Empire was the only civilization in all of history to connect over 30% of the global population, accounting for approximately 39.4 million of the world's 112.4 million people in around 480 BC. Achaiminid's arch-rival was the early Skithan Empire.

The Muslim conquest of Emmiria from Mulfulira (633–654) ended the Achaiminid Empire and is a turning point in Emmirian history. Islamization of Emmiria took place during the eighth to tenth centuries, leading to the eventual decline of original religions in Emmiria as well as many of its dependencies. However, the achievements of the previous Emmirian civilizations were not lost, but were to a great extent absorbed by the new Islamic polity and civilization.

Modern History

Jiddiya, with its long history of early cultures and empires, had suffered particularly hard during the late Middle Ages and the early modern period. Many invasions of nomadic tribes, whose leaders became rulers in this country, affected it negatively. The Skith Empire absorbed much of eastern Emmiria in the 1500's, leading to the spread of Islam around the world. The Empire's collapse in the early 1800's led to a reunification of the Emmirian plateau and the modern day borders of Emmiria, leaving Jiddiya as a multitude of independent states by 1843.

Two States and Unification

Prayers during Ramadan in Runuraq

"Jiddiya City risks becoming the first capital in the world to run out of a viable water supply as Jiddiya's streams and natural aquifers run dry," says The Tofino Times

By 1899, Jiddiya had been organized into two centrally controlled states: Jiddiya to the east and Nuzheer to the west. The two often came into conflict, but in 1932, the two governments reached a full agreement on the joint governing of the region, and the countries were merged on 2 May 1932 into the Emirate of Jiddiya, with Aslam el-Badour of Jiddiya as President. The President of Nuzheer, Mus'ab al-Mohamed, became Vice President. A unified parliament was formed and a unity constitution was agreed upon. In the 1934 parliamentary election, the first held after unification, the General People's Congress won 122 of 301 seats.

Civil War (1991)

The Jiddiyan Civil War was a period of civil disorder and violence in Jiddiya in 1991, sparked by the suppression of protests and political gatherings by the Maahir el-Sarah tyrannical regime. In February, the el-Sarah regime forces began a violent crackdown on protestors and quickly the situation unfolded into rebels attacking government targets. All major population centres were engulfed in demonstrations and violence by 13 March and foreign countries began to evacuate their citizens. These evacuations included Operation Kibbilesa and Operation Towers Wake. The Coalition of Crown Albatross Security Council, in Resolution 843, authorised a force of 17,000 troops on July 1st to direct relief efforts and restore order in Jiddiya. The C.C.A. feared the unrest would spread beyond Jiddiya's borders and send refugees throughout Adula, and the Coalition force led by Emmiria and Durnstaal intervened, invading the country. On 15 August, Operation Salba was launched, overthrowing Maahir el-Sarah's regime, and the war officially ended on September 2nd, 1991. Coalition forces stayed in Jiddiya and helped restore rule of law in the country until they departed and ended the occupation at the beginning of 1992.

Post-war

After the conclusion of the civil war, the toppling of the tyranical Maahir el-Sarah regime, and the re-ascension of the Monarchy of Jiddiya, the country was accepted into the Coalition of Crown Albatross in 1998.

In 2006, Jiddiya purchased the Sohuraq panhandle from Emmiria, effectively connecting the country to the Toyana Ocean through the Albarine Sea. Jiddiya's economy began to grow exponentially, with access to the ocean and the city of Sohuraq meaning port goods could more effectively import and export through the country. A trade deal with neighboring Mulfulira boosted the country's oil production, putting it near the top of highest oil-producing nations on Iearth.

Although being largely supported monetarily by capitalist founder nations of the C.C.A. such as Zamastan and Avergnon in its reconstruction following the civil war of 1991, the government has been blamed and accused of funding terrorist and extremist networks across the world. Specifically, following the April 19th, 2020 bombing in Tregueux, President Foley Sakzi and the Zamastanian Intelligence Service accused the Jiddiya government of sponsoring the Jaginistan-based Al-Fijar, which claimed responsibility for the attack. This led to the government distancing itself from Al-Fijar, even beginning counter-terrorist operations against the group.

On April 23rd, 2020 Emmiria, Alcarres, and Mulfulira sent troops at the behest of the Jiddiyan government and the Coalition of Crown Albatross to fight the al-Fijar militias within the nation. In September of 2020, Jiddiya's Intelligence Operations surrendered documents and recordings of phone calls between Al-Fijar operatives in the wake of the bombing of Air Andaluni Flight 553 which killed 178 people while en-route to Vongane, Quetana.

On June 22nd, 2021, Coalition forces withdrew from the country, completing ground combat operations. Airstrikes against terrorists and militia groups would continue for several more months, but the threat of al-Fijar in Adula was largely diminished.

Geography

A water reservoir in Jabal Haraz

A terraced side of one of the Haraz Mountains in Al Kahwit Governorate near Kabal An-Nabi Shu'ayb (the highest mountain in the country), west of Jiddiya City

Jiddiya is in Western Adula, in the northern part of the Emmirian plateau, bordering the Albarine Sea, Lake Gravenna, the north of Emmiria, west of Mulfulira, and south of Durnstaal.

Regions and climate

Jiddiya can be divided geographically into four main regions: the coastal plains in the southwest, the south-east highlands, the northern highlands, and the Gravenna Plains in the east. The Gravenna Plains form a very arid and flat coastal plain along Jiddiya's entire Lake Gravenna coastline and the eastern part of the nation. Despite the aridity, the presence of many lagoons makes this region very marshy and a suitable breeding ground for malaria mosquitos. Extensive crescent-shaped sand dunes are present. The evaporation in this region is so great that streams from the highlands rarely reach the sea, but they do contribute to extensive groundwater reserves. Today, these are heavily exploited for agricultural use. This area, now heavily terraced to meet the demand for food, receives the highest rainfall in Jiddiya, rapidly increasing from 100 mm (3.9 in) per year to about 760 mm (29.9 in). Temperatures are warm in the day but fall dramatically at night. Perennial streams occur in the highlands, but these never reach the sea because of high evaporation in the region.

The central highlands are an extensive high plateau over 2,000 m (6,562 ft) in elevation. This area is drier than the western highlands because of rain-shadow influences, but still receives sufficient rain in wet years for extensive cropping. Water storage allows for irrigation and the growing of wheat and barley. The highest point in Jiddiya and is Rabal Nabi Khu'ayb, at about 3,666 m (12,028 ft).

Environmental Issues

Jiddiya is encountering severe environmental issues in two aspects, water and land. In the aspect of water, Jiddiya has limited natural fresh water resources and inadequate supplies of potable water, with Lake Gravenna being the main source of water for the country. As for the land, two main issues of Jiddiya are overgrazing and desertification. Jiddiya has signed several international agreements: Climate Change-Kures Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of Fresh Water, Ozone Layer Protection.

Demographics

Cities

See also: Cities in Jiddiya

Metropolitan areas in Jiddiya
No.	CMA City	Population
1	Jiddiya City	1,252,000
2	Nuzaraq	644,000
3	Sohuraq	396,000
4	Al Nuzheer	238,000
5	Runuraq	204,000
6	Duraib	152,000

Politics

Military

Soldiers of the Jiddiya Army in 2017.

The armed forces of Jiddiya include the Jiddiya Army (includes Republican Guard), Navy (includes Marines), Jiddiya Air Force (includes Air Defense Force). A major reorganization of the armed forces has been underway since the purchase of the Sohuraq Panhandle from Emmiria in 2006. The unified air forces and air defenses are now under one command. The navy has concentration in Sohuraq. Total armed forces manning numbers about 401,000 active personnel, including moreover especially conscripts. The supreme commander of the armed forces is the King of Jiddiya.

The number of military personnel in Jiddiya is relatively high comparative to population. In 2018, total active troops were estimated as follows: army, 390,000; navy, 7,000; and air force, 5,000. In September 2007, the government announced the reinstatement of compulsory military service. Jiddiya's defense budget, which in 2006 represented approximately 40 percent of the total government budget, is expected to remain high for the near term, as the military draft takes effect and internal security threats continue to escalate. By 2015, Jiddiya had 401,000 active personnel.

Foreign Relations

Since the end of the 1991 civil war, tangible progress has been made on the diplomatic front in restoring normal relations with Jiddiya's neighbors. In the summer of 2002, Emmiria and Jiddiya signed an International Border Treaty settling a 50-year-old dispute over the location of the border between the two countries. In 2006, Emmiria ceded the city and panhandle of Sohuraq to Jiddiya for a Z$8 billion purchase, which gave Jiddiya a maritime connection. Jiddiya joined the Coalition of Crown Albatross in 1998, which opened the pathway to more international relations.

Two of Jiddiya's key partners are Emmiria and Mulfulira, the three of which share close historical and cultural connections, including religious heritage. Jiddiya is part of the Albatross Islamic Alliance, alongside other Muslim-majority nations such as Emmiria, Qantir, Arakinistan, Pekastan, and Barangadesh. Durnstaal is a close trading partner, though very little historical or cultural similarities between the two exist. Jiddiya and the member states of the CAMDA and CATA alliances also share close trading connections, though Jiddiya is not a member of either organization.