2018 Southern Tangkuo offensive

2018 Southern Tangkuo offensive
Part of State of Truth conflicts
File:Tangkuo war map.png Map of situation of area as of 2018/08/17
Date 2018 July 26 - present (6 years, 3 months, 3 weeks and 6 days) Location Southern Tangkuo Status Ongoing Control of Zhumen being contested SoT forces threatening southeastern corridor to Shendu
Belligerents
Template:Country data State of Truth Template:Country data State of Truth Restoration Organization Tangkuoan Republican Army Communist rebels	Tangkuo Tangkuoan Armed Forces Local militias Local police Wusitwui Supported by: Template:Country data Sükhbaatar
Strength
80,000~100,000 regulars 38,000 insurgents	50,000~90,000 9,000
Casualties and losses
1,892 killed	1,725 killed
~2,000 civilians killed

The 2018 Southern Tangkuo offensive is an ongoing military operation by the State of Truth, initiated against government forces of Tangkuo. The operation began on July 26 with a sudden uprising in the city of Tunbao after several bombings and its seizure by pro-SoT Restoration Organization militants. Shortly after, State of Truth troops attacked Tangkuoan positions in an attempt to link up with and reinforce the militants in the city.

Background

Since its establishment in northern Qyred in 1969, the Truth-Cleansing Sect, the founding school of the State of Truth, began to infiltrate communist Tangkuo, whose southern regions were ravaged and devastated after the Qyredine-Tangkuoan War and whose Hin-speaking Yen population was still discriminated against by Tangkuoan state policy. Despite suppression in the 1970s, its influence clung on in Yen Tangkuo and launched an armed uprising in 1987 seizing territory and establishing 'resistance bases'. From 2000 to 2010 the State of Truth expanded steadily territory in Tangkuo whose government still failed to address the tensions in the south. Gequan, capital city of the Nanjiang province, was captured in 2008, and remains the largest city in Tangkuo under SoT control.

From 2010 to 2014 Tangkuo placed serious effort on combating the SoT, launching numerous 'anti-terrorist campaigns', and supporting formerly hostile ethnic Yen warlords and paramilitaries as allies in the region. These enjoyed success in eliminating a number of bases of the Restoration Organization, a Kaungiist insurgent group, as well as checking State of Truth territorial advances. However, the government failed to significantly undermine support and influence of the SoT in the region. In February 2014 the warlord Wang Teng defected to the SoT after continued sidelining of his clique's position in southern Tangkuo as well as in response to continued economic misfortunes of Yen in Tangkuo. The State of Truth and the Restorationists agreed to a vague 'relaxation of relations' in late 2014, which put a halt to hostilities in the area. However, terrorist attacks and infiltration continued. In 2016 large numbers of insurgents supported by SoT infiltrators assaulted the city of Baoming.

The death of Emperor Ningjiasu in 2018 and the announcement of pro-Asuran economic and social policies by successor Emperor Husurægai shook the situation in Tangkuo again, with ethnic and soon religious riots occurring in Yen Tangkuo. The growing recalcitrance of local militias hindered attempts to curb increasingly bold infiltration attempts by the SoT and activities by the Restorationists.

Uprising in Tunbao

The aftermath of one of the bombs set off in Tunbao.

In the morning of 2018 July 26, bombs were set off across the county city of Tunbao followed by the appearance of large numbers of Kaungiist gunmen who assaulted the police stations and town hall of the city. Car bombs were set off hours into the fighting undermining positions of the pro-government defenders further. There was extensive use of improvised explosive devices by the insurgents. Reports suggest that the majority of them were long-operating Restorationist sleeper agents.

The police and militiamen in the city were overwhelmed by mid-day and their lines collapsed, most fleeing the city or surrendering. Town officials were evacuated after fighting began to spread. By afternoon the city itself was under insurgent control.

Restorationists also attacked towns near Tunbao, as well as seizing infrastructure including the local airport and train station. Fleeing militias however managed to recapture one of the towns that were taken over.

Tunbao being somewhat important of a transport hub in the area and a checkpoint on the main highway between Gequan and Dian'an, the uprising's success in capturing the city isolated government forces between it and SoT territory. The rapid fall of the city was also a surprise to authorities and spectators domestic and abroad.

Northwards offensive (July 26-August 5)

State of Truth rocket artillery firing on July 26.

Shortly after the uprising, State of Truth regular forces attacked to link up with the Tunbao militants at night, which developed into intense fighting in the towns between SoT territory and the city. On July 28 the two forces linked up after defeating Tangkuoan resistance and across the northern border of SoT territory the general offensive began, as State of Truth forces launched a full-scale combined arms assault. An estimated 900 armoured fighting vehicles took part in the northwards attack which made this perhaps one of the most mechanized military operations by the State of Truth so far.

The general offensive was also initiated with an extensive artillery bombardment of Tangkuoan positions.

Regular government forces in the region were soon mobilized and positioned to defend. The Guardians of the Palace of Heavenly Purity, a reserve military force of Tangkuo, was deployed.

Tangkuoan soldiers on July 29.

Initially, Tangkuoan positions were able to hold out and slow the assault. However, simultaneous with the offensive, the Restorationist forces began large-scaled uprisings and directed operations to undermine effectiveness of Tangkuoan resistance, attacking camps, barracks, supply routes, troop transports and even air fields, often with improvised weapons, which weakened ability for Tangkuoan forces to support their defense, and resulted in the frontlines being overwhelmed and soon overran on July 30 to 31. The rear of the Tangkuoan lines were harassed by bicycle infantry, particularly highly mobile mortar or drone teams, which were able to quickly and destructively attack logistical or strategic support, or simply inflict losses in ambushes.

Aerial units of the State of Truth were also deployed to counter Tangkuoan air support and to accompany ground operations. 4 Tangkuoan jet fighters were shot down in aerial combat from July 26 to 30 while it is claimed that 5 State of Truth aircraft have been lost in such engagements. There were also attacks on Tangkuoan air bases by both aircraft and tactical ballistic missiles which resulted in the destruction of 7 to 20 Tangkuoan aircraft.

A State of Truth infantry fighting vehicle on July 30.

The attempts by Tangkuoan military command to organize defense in depth beginning on July 31 failed as the tactical retreat was chaotic, being assaulted by insurgents and rapidly moving mechanized units alike. While individual units succeeded in re-establishing themselves in small towns against the State of Truth advance, they were soon cut off from support and either overrun or forced to retreat.

Wenping, Ande, Mozu and Muzhuang were among the major towns that were seized by SoT forces from July 30 to August 2 after pursuing retreating Tangkuoan forces.

Several non-religious rebel groups also joined the offensive with the State of Truth, including republican and communist rebels.

On August 3, the provincial capital of Wupo, Zhumen, was assaulted by the State of Truth forces, who attacked and captured numerous surrounding towns and outskirt districts while also seizing control of infrastructural points such as the rail station and the airport. Resistance by Tangkuoan forces continued in the city. On the same day, the Wusitwui declared its intent to fight the State of Truth, and promised 'total assistance' to all 'righteous parties' in the conflict.

On August 4 Wusitwui armed forces numbering 3,000 arrived near Zhumen and began partaking in combat operations.

Assault on the southeastern corridor (August 5-present)

On August 5, State of Truth forces began attacking eastwards, once again with large amounts of artillery and armor. It became apparent that the momentum of attack had now shifted towards the east, particularly the Southeastern Corridor, Tangkuoan controlled territory which linked the major city of Shendu with the rest of the country. The metropolis was clearly further threatened by the offensive with this.

Activities of insurgents, the overwhelming strength of the State of Truth attack, and the reduction in strength of local defenses as a result of the situation in the north all contributed to government forces yet again being surprised in the area. However, reinforcements from mobilized Tangkuoan units were able to stunt the SoT offensive on August 7-8 with a series of defensive successes. Large amounts of territory was still lost however including numerous towns. The speed of Kaungiist advances however has notably slowed.

Pro-Tangkuoan forces retook several neighbourhoods in Zhumen on August 9-10.

On August 11, State of Truth forces began assault on the county city of Motang. On August 12 a Tangkuoan bombing run on the city was estimated to have killed 73 SoT troops.

On August 12 several Tangkuoan troop convoys were ambushed by Restoration Organization forces, which resulted in a total of Tangkuoan 103 soldiers killed while 15 trucks were destroyed. Insurgents also launched rocket attacks on Tangkuoan barracks and airstrips.

Wusitwui troops and Tangkuoan militias counterattacked the State of Truth in the desert on August 13 pushing them back from multiple towns and villages. About 30 Wusitwui fighters were reported killed while the Wusitwui claimed to have eliminated 120 State of Truth troops.

Zhumen Airport was retaken by Tangkuoan troops on August 14 in a 'fierce battle' with around 54 Tangkuoans and 60 SoT fighters killed. On the same day, several raids on government-held towns were launched resulting in 16 soldiers and 93 civilians killed.

On August 15 SoT-held towns came under heavy artillery fire. A tank battle also took place east of Motang at noon with 30 tanks from both sides involved, ending in SoT retreat. However, at night another tank battle near the same location ended in SoT victory. In Zhumen, the SoT also seized several neighbourhoods.

On August 16 Tangkuoan troops retook 5 peripheral towns north of Zhumen but the SoT captured them again at night. Restorationists also progressed further in the city itself seizing 35 major buildings and claiming to have eliminated 94 pro-government fighters. SoT troops also repelled numerous counterattacks in the southeast.

Restorationist insurgents seized several towns on August 17 in a series of operations supported by SoT regular firepower. Tangkuoan regional commanders decided to reject evacuation of the Shendu area, citing possible impact on morale and problems it posed towards operations.

The captured county city of Mozu near the Yunlinese border was assaulted by mixed Wusitwui and Tangkuoan troops on August 18.

Reactions

• Template:Country data Aeian Public Health Organization: The Director-General, Kelly Iaukea, has called on all sides to agree to a ceasefire so that aid workers can enter the conflict region and assist the innocent people caught in the crossfire. Dr. Iaukea has also stated that the APHO is working from its Yidao Regional Office in Sükhbaatar to deliver aid to the people hurt by the conflict and to monitor the situation.
• Ardaima: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has listed the State of Truth as a terrorist organization and is in contact with the embassy in Tangkuo to monitor the situation. The Ministry has said that there are no reports of Ardaiman citizens in the region but has issued a travel warning for the conflict zone and the surrounding regions advising against travelling there. The Ministry of Defense and the Prime Minister's Office have made no comment on the matter.
• Commonwealth of Democratic Nations: Supreme Commander of the CDN, Mattieu Mittelrand, has stated in a press conference that the CDN is watching and monitoring the situation in Tangkuo but that the organization currently has no plans to increase its involvement. The Commander also stated that the CDN does not currently consider the State of Truth to be a terrorist organization, but that individual member states of the organization do.
• Template:Country data Sükhbaatar: The President of Sükhbaatar, Yumgaajiin Batmönkh, issued several statements concerning denounciation of the State of Truth and the recently controversial decision to recognize them as a terrorist organization. During the onset of the Sergelen War of Independence, the Sükhbaataryn government announced that it will start sending medical aid to Tangkuo starting on August 20th.
• The Wusitwui, which has long-standing hostile sentiments towards the State of Truth, denounced the offensive and immediately promised broad assistance for anti-Kaungiist forces. About 9,000 Wusitwui troops have been engaged in combat against the State of Truth fighting alongside Tangkuoan forces. Wusitwui charity also provided assistance to civilians affected by the offensive through provision of medical aid, shelter, and safety.