Lappland-Norreldis Conflicts

Lappland-Norreldis Conflict
Map showing the nations of Lappland and Norreldis with the island of Várrisoulo highlighted in red.
Date 1932 - Present Location Lappland Strait
Belligerents
Lappland	Norreldis

The Lappland-Norreldis Conflict is a series of escalations and military incidents betweeen Lappland and Norreldis largely stemming from the contested island of Várrisoulo which is claimed by both nations despite being uninhabited. While no direct military engagement has occured so far, Lappland has been escalating tensions in recent years.

Background

Following Lappland's independence from Trinovantum, the island of Varrisoulo was claimed as part of its borders. Lappland claims the island was previously connected to the mainland before the Cascadian Ocean cut it off during the formation of the Norreldis Islands. Geologists have cast doubt on this claim as early studies of the island suggest it was formed out of volcanic activity. Norreldis claimed sovereignty over the island and surrounding waters in 1932 in order to increase fishing opportunities. The island consists mostly of rock with virtually no soil, preventing either nation from establishing permanent settlements. The island has become a symbol used by nationalists in both countries.

Incidents

Periodically, the Lappland Coast Guard and Norreldis Navy will travel to the island and plant their nation's flag on the island while defacing or destroying the other's. Pictures have emerged of each flag set on fire, tossed in the ocean or simply torn apart on the island. The Lappland Coast Guard posted about one of these operations on social media on May 22nd 2016.

The Lappland Coast Guard also blockades vessels from Norreldis from entering their national waters, sometimes halting vessels originating from other countries that have left Norreldian ports. Vessels from Førstehavn, Wetald and Brabant have reported being intercepted and turned back by the Lappland Coast Guard after leaving ports in Norreldis.

In recent years the Lappland Air Guard has begun harassing Norreldis aircraft and airspace. On October 9th 2020, a Lappland Air Guard I-36 fighter squadron flew directly towards Norreldis airspace after takeoff before turning away. Similar incidents have occurred at least three more times in the following years. On March 28th, 2021 a charter flight from Norreldis to Lappland was intercepted by a Lappland Air Guard AV-1. Radar also showed that an I-38 maintained holding patterns near the two aircraft at a flight level 5000 feet above them which the Air Guard claims to have been an unrelated exercise. On November 6th, 2021 an Air Guard I-36 fighter buzzed a cargo flight flying through international airspace that was on it's way to Norreldis and was incorrectly flagged by Lappland as a military transport.

The most severe incident occurred on April 18th 2022 when a Lappland Air Guard AV-1 Aircrew fired small arms near a Norreldis Navy Helicopter. Lappland claimed the aircraft was violating their airspace and that the aircrew fired warning shots after the helicopter crew failed to respond to radio calls. Norreldis Navy officials contended that no radio calls were made and that the Lappland aircrew simply intercepted the aircraft before firing at the unarmed helicopter. The Norreldian aircraft returned to it's base and was found to have no damage.