2022 Beresa port bombing

2022 Beresa port bombing
The aftermath of the bombing at Lafaille Naval Base in Beresa
Location	Lafaille Naval Base, Beresa, Saint Croix and Bens
Date	October 1st, 2022 8:02 PM
Weapons	Ammonium nitrate explosion
Deaths	988 (including the perpetrators)
Non-fatal injuries	2,000+
Perpetrator	6 Terehanian agents

The 2022 Beresa port bombing, also known as the 10/1 bombing or the Lafaille bombing, was an attack committed by Terehanian agents against WEDA military forces at the Lafaille Naval Base in Beresa, Saint Croix and Bens, on October 1st, 2022. The blast destroyed or heavily damaged 22 naval vessels and killed 988 people, and injured 2,000 more. The attack occurred at around 8 PM when the MIM Rhosis, an explosive-laden barge which had anchored between two warships, the ZMS Grouse and the SCBN Beresi, detonated. President Wira Santoso immediately authorized a state of emergency in response to the attack, and a massive rescue and recovery effort was undertaken. Though initial reports pointed to al-Fijar as a possible perpetrator, the ZIS and affiliated intelligence networks were able to tie the attack to Asaad al-Shaad and the Terehanian government.

The explosion, caused by a barge laden with 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate which managed to enter the port with official clearance, completely destroyed the two vessels it docked alongside and damaged dozens of others, and it also leveled or severely damaged hundreds of structures within the immediate vicinity of the naval base. The explosion registered as a seismic event of magnitude 3.6 and is considered one of the most powerful non-nuclear explosions in history. Sailors and other personnel from several WEDA member states were killed, most of whom were aboard vessels. The attack was the deadliest single attack on naval forces since the World War, and the deadliest attack in SCB history. A week after the attack, WEDA carried out airstrikes against Terehan and later invaded the country in response to the bombing.

Background

Tensions with Terehan

During ancient times, lands that now constitute Terehan were known as Telaanha and were occupied by many kingdoms and empires, notably the Emmirians. Following the Barretoan Wars, Terehan became a democracy, though since the 1930s it had widely been considered authoritarian, and attracted widespread criticism for its significant constraints and abuses against human rights and civil liberties, including several violent suppressions of mass protests, unfair elections, and limited rights for women and for children. In 2018, Asaad al-Shaad became President and began pursuing a nuclear program which many in the international community claimed was a pursuit for a nuclear weapon.

In June 2022, dozens of foreign nationals were arrested in Terehan under suspicion of espionage. Asaad al-Shaad sentenced them to death, which led to international condemnation being levied against the nation's rogue nuclear weapons program, which al-Shaad continued to deny existed. As nations sanctioned Terehan and called for the release of the captives, al-Shaad endorsed the terrorist group Al-Fijar and called on the group to attack "anti-Muslim" nations. The same day, a terrorist inspired by al-Shaad's endorsement carried out a suicide bombing in Helniemi, Caspiaa, killing 28 people. The captives were executed one week after their detention, leading to a near total international block of diplomatic and economic relations with Terehan. On July 10th, a series of bombings struck Oftbon, Elbresia, killing 290 people. The perpetrators were connected to Terehan, and on July 13th, WEDA conducted a string of airstrikes against 14 military facilities in the Terehanian cities of Catahle, Jataran, and Casaat as an act of retribution. The airstrikes led to Terehan releasing 49 other foreign captives who were set for execution, with al-Shaad conceding that WEDA would not pursue further military action if the hostages were released.

On September 9th, al-Shaad admitted to Terehan's nuclear program being used to construct nuclear weapons, and stressed that his country would never abandon the nuclear weapons in order to counter WEDA, which he accused of pushing to weaken the country's defenses and eventually collapse his government. Terehan's legislature passed a law which spelled out conditions where Terehan would be inclined to use its nuclear weapons, including when it determines that its leadership is facing an imminent "nuclear or non-nuclear attack by hostile forces." The law requires Terehan's military to "automatically" execute nuclear strikes against enemy forces, including their "starting point of provocation and the command," if Casaat's leadership comes under attack. The law also says Terehan could use nukes to prevent an unspecified "catastrophic crisis" to its government and people, a loose definition that experts say reflect an escalatory nuclear doctrine that could create greater concerns for neighbors. Al-Shaad also criticized Saint Croix and Bens in particular over its plans to expand its conventional strike capabilities and revive large-scale military exercises with WEDA to counter the growing threats, describing them as a "dangerous" military action that raises tensions.

Al-Shaad was combative toward WEDA in a September 29th speech and urged his country to expand the operational roles of its tactical nuclear weapons, to accelerate their deployment to strengthen the country's war deterrent. Those comments appeared to align with a ruling party decision in June to approve unspecified new operational duties for front-line troops, which analysts say likely include plans to deploy battlefield nuclear weapons targeting rival nations in South Adula. The government also communicated a threat that it could use its nuclear weapons during conflicts with WEDA's conventional forces, which would raise the risk of accidental clashes in such maritime provocations escalating into a nuclear crisis. Terehan had been speeding its development of nuclear-capable, short-range missiles that can target Saint Croix and Bens. However, as of October 2022 the nuclear program was not yet at the capacity to develop a weapon.

MIM Rhosis

The MIM Rhosis was a 86.6 m (284 ft) barge which was originally flagged with Vorrica, but on October 1st was flying the Cyruda flag. While the ammonium nitrate-laden boat itself was flagged in Cyruda, satellite imagery and transponder data gathered a month before the attack picked up the same vessel in a port in Olharat, Terehan. The port in Olharat is known as a industrial hub, one where a lack of safety regulations has prominently been known as a site of incidents involving explosive material including unstable ammonium nitrate. The barge reportedly left the port in Olharat on September 16th, and was picked up sporadically for the next two weeks off Kynnport, Saint Elmenau, Temebok, and through the Catmus Strait before it arrived in Beresa on October 1st.

The current theory of intelligence agencies which has been publicly stated is that hazardous material were loaded onto the barge in Olharat, along with explosive detonators, with the intention of striking the fleet in Beresa rather than a softer civilian target. The brief anchoring at Temebok was a routine security check by Qolaysian authorities, who like SCB officials prior to the attack, allowed the barge to continue. Using its cargo in the cover of offloading it at a treatment facility in Beresa, which is in the commercial port, the MIM Rhosis would not have required much aside basic paperwork to get through checks. Additionally, it is believed that the barge's transponder and flag association changed shortly after leaving port in Olharat, which would have allowed the vessel to avoid sanction stops under international law against Terehanian exports.

Attack

MIM Rhosis enters port

At 5:09 AM (SCB) on October 1st, 2022, the MIM Rhosis entered Beresa's commercial harbor, where it was checked and authorized for entry by port officials. Cargo records and a sweep check by port officials confirmed a load of chemical substance for factory use in the nearby industrial zone neighboring the port. The Rhosis was permitted to anchor at dock 6A, which sits 2 kilometers across the harbor from the Lafaille Naval Base. At 5:35 PM, the Rhosis lifted anchor and turned on its engines without consulting port authorities, and began crossing the harbor towards the naval base. Intelligence reports by SCB agencies and the Zamastanian Intelligence Service cited radio communications picked up on channels utilized primarily by Terehanian military personnel in the perimeter of the harbor only an hour prior to the explosion. While the exact location of the communications had not been determined, they did consist of a message in which individuals speaking in Terehanian confirming 'authorization to proceed'. They also confirmed that the radio communications ceased at around the same time that the barge, MNIN Rhosis, left its previously approved anchor point and began crossing the harbor into restricted waters of the naval base. This is believed to have been a confirmation between Terehanian commanders and the crew of the barge to initiate the attack.

Traveling at low speed, the boat's transponder was switched to a 'clear signal' under the SCB military's clearance, and it entered restricted base waters at 7:21 PM. At 7:49 PM, it pulled alongside the Zamastanian cruiser Grouse, adjusting positioning before dropping anchor and powering down. Its crew of six remained on board. At 7:53 PM, SCB and Zamastanian sailors on both the Grouse and the Beresi alerted base authorities that the barge had pulled up alongside the warships, and within moments security personnel arrived to the dock to investigate. One of the Rhosis' crew came out from the cabin and exchanged words with responding security officials, but refused to cast a boarding ladder for the officers to investigate, and refused to pull the boat out of its anchor spot between the warships. An argument ensued, and the crew member reentered the cabin at 7:59 PM. Surveillance footage from just prior to the explosion had been used to identify the crew member who argued with security personnel on the dock as a Terehanian national named Jaadallah al-Farid, a former-member of the Terehanian armed forces.

Explosion

A detailed view of the damage to ZMS Jackson. A patch has been welded over the below-waterline damage. Image taken while in dry dock on 3 October 2022

At 8:01 PM, the barge exploded as a result of the crew members on board detonating explosives with the cargo of ammonium nitrate. The resulting blast engulfed the port, ripping apart the adjoining warships and causing major damage to dozens of nearby vessels docked along the row. The blast sent a red-orange cloud into the air, which was briefly surrounded by a white condensation cloud. The red-orange color of the smoke was caused by nitrogen dioxide, a byproduct of ammonium nitrate decomposition. The explosion shook the central business district of Beresa, where many buildings suffered broken windows. The blast was heard as far away as the SCB capital of Saint Elmenau and the Alecburghish capital of Kynnport. Despite inefficient transmission of the shock waves into the ground, seizmologists measured the blast as a 3.3 local magnitude earthquake. Experts estimated that the explosion was one of the largest artificial non-nuclear explosions ever recorded.

The explosion overturned cars and stripped steel-framed buildings of their cladding. Within the port area, the explosion destroyed a section of shoreline and left a blast crater roughly 124 m (407 ft) in diameter and 43 m (141 ft) in depth. Homes as far as 10 kilometers (6 miles) away were damaged by the blast.

319 sailors on the Grouse were killed, at least half of them instantly, with only 11 survivors. The Beresi suffered 120 dead, with 140 other sailors aboard sustaining injuries. Both ships suffered extensive and compromising damage, and each ship sank and rested on the shallow harbor floor within 15 minutes. Because the crew of warships follow curfews as instated by their navies, most of the sailors were on board their respective vessels at the time of the blast, either in their barracks, mess halls, other recreational areas, or points of duty. The congregation of sailors in confined spaces meant the death toll was greatly increased.

The Albarinean frigate AASC Cossland, docked next to the Grouse on the opposite side of the blast, also suffered severe damage and began to list. 49 Albarinean sailors were killed. On the opposite side of the Beresi, the Emmirian destroyer ENVS Baasim was heavily damaged and suffered 23 sailors killed. Several other Zamastanian navy ships were present in the harbor and suffered damage, including the Granet, Jackson, and Loan, and dozens of their crew members suffered injuries including burns and shrapnel punctures. The SCB vessel SCBN Lett was damaged extensively, suffering 60 killed. Another ship, the SCBN Hya, had its bridge face torn off by the pressure of the blast, and 19 of its sailors were killed.

Within the base, many structures including sailor barracks, munitions stores, and other buildings either collapsed or suffered extensive damage. 398 people who were within the base's perimeter (not on vessels) were killed in the blast, either as a direct result of exposure to the blast or from collapsed debris.

Beresa-Hett International Airport, the city's main airport, about 10 km (6 mi) from the site of the blast, sustained moderate damage to the terminal buildings during the explosion. Doors and windows were destroyed, and ceiling tiles were shaken loose by the shockwave, severing electrical wires. Despite the damage, flights continued.

The Saint Croix and Bens government placed total deaths at 988.

Reactions

WEDA response

In the wake of the bombing, WEDA leaders called for a swift response, unilaterally invoking the Alabaster Treaty's article 5 which assures mutual defense between member states.

Saint Croix and Bens - President Wira Santoso said; "It is clear that this tremendous event in Beresa today is not an accidental explosion as a result of any negligence, unchecked infrastructure, or outdated munitions... rather we can confirm that the location of this blast and the victims thereof are the result of a heinous and calculated terrorist attack. We are assessing all threats here. There's very little to indicate that this was an accidental explosion."

Albarine - Chancellor Sadie Melhaven called the attack an "atrocious act" and promised that the "full might of WEDA will respond to those responsible with swift justice." She went on to say "WEDA is on a war path for the first time in our organization's history. This is a calculated attack against our collective forces, and a dark day for every member nation. Albarine has lost brave men and women today who deployed as part of their mission to ensure peace for our nation and our allies. To our allied nations who have also lost men and women in service today, we honor their sacrifice and pledge our nation's entire ability behind our alliance. We will find those responsible, hold them to account, and destroy them entirely."

Emmiria - President Akram Sulaiman called the attack a "purposeful and egregious act of war against the Republic of Emmiria and the WEDA alliance," and went on to say "this attack is enough to declare war. Once our intelligence has determined the perpetrators, there will be immediate and severe repercussions."

Janapa - President Kendrick Mehans said "the Janapan people are with our allies in WEDA and we stand unilaterally with them. WEDA is at war with these monsters who attacked a peaceful nation, a restful navy, and an un-antagonistic facility. This attack will be remembered forever in its scale and suddenness, and its perpetrators will remember our response: united, bold, and determined."

Zamastan - President Sabine Armitage delivered a national address hours after the attack; "This is one of the darkest days in Zamastanian history, by far the darkest in the alliance's history, and this day presents a magnitude of horror that the world has rarely seen. Terrorists of presently unknown affiliation struck at the heart of the south Adula fleet, shredding our ships apart with tremendous fire, leaving destruction and smoldering wrecks in the harbor of Beresa. We stand with the people of Saint Croix and Bens, as well as with all of our allies who have suffered terrible losses today. Our sailors were on duty while in peacetime, and this attack was brought to them at a moment that would otherwise spell a sense of rest. What we have seen in the wake of this horrific attack is the courage, bravery, and servitude of our men and women in the armed forces, who lept from their bunks below decks to the fires above, to save their fellow sailors and their allies aboard other vessels. The Zamastanian government will find those responsible, and with our allies, we will commit all resources neccesary to defeating them and bringing them to justice. The alliance will not stop, no matter what challenge we face, and we will be victorious against our enemies."

International response

Prime Minister Elliott Timbrell of Candatora said "Candatora's government, and the people of all our nation, stands behind the people of Saint Croix and Bens and the WEDA alliance, with whom we share a partnership. I am certain that the Alliance of Nortuan States collectively feels similar, and we denounce this horrific attack."

Prime Minister Pacifica Champlain-Kourtney of Alecburgh stated "we understand the investigation into the perpetrators of this disgusting act is more than likely a closed-door case, but the Alecburghish Government and Her Assets including the Alecburghish Bureau of Investigation are willing to provide any and all help they can give to WEDA. We are also willing to provide medical aid to any survivors of the attack if any is needed." Queen Iris Jackson-Killingly offered condolences and urged for peace in the region.