2022 Blaoria War

2022 Blaoria War
Part of Chaesian Cession and Blaorian Troubles
Clockwise from the top-left: Drambenburgian troops staging for a counter-insurgency operation in Winterstein; Chancellor Giorg Auster-Brautstadt speaks on the military action; a destroyed apartment complex in Winterstein; a Drambenburgian fighter jet takes off; smoke rises over the town of Churheide; Drambenburgian troops arrive in Blaoria
Date September 3rd, 2022 (2 years, 1 month, 4 weeks and 1 day) Location Blaoria
Belligerents
Drambenburg	Blaoria
Commanders and leaders
Peter XXI Wettin Giorg Auster-Brautstadt Johannes Schnabel	Alwin Edelstein

The 2022 Blaoria War, also referred to as the 2022 Drambenburgian occupation of Blaoria, is an ongoing military conflict which began on September 3rd, 2022, when Drambenburgian forces crossed the border from Chaesia, which had recently ceded to Drambenburg, into Blaoria after months of tension surrounding contested election results between Prime Minister Alwin Edelstein and pro-Drambenburgian politician Johannes Schnabel.

On July 18th 2022, the results of the Blaorian general election became mired in delays and irregularities. After four recounts, Edelstein was eventually declared the winner on August 17th, but Schnabel opposed the results. Schnabel, who was considered the legitimate victor by the Chancellor of Drambenburg Giorg Auster-Brautstadt, called on his supporters to deny the election results and protest Edelstein's rule. For weeks, massive demonstrations occupied the capital of Winterstein as opposing sides clashed. Edelstein repeatedly refused to seek exile in neighboring Shoassau and denied intervention from WEDA, believing the violence would subside. On September 2nd, 2022, Chaesia ceded to Drambenburg after a referendum passed with the signing of the Treaty of Den Haag by then-Chaesian leader Till Schultze and Kaiser Peter XXI Wettin. With the cession, Drambenburgian forces staged along the border of Blaoria and the following day were endorsed by Schnabel and other pro-Drambenburgian politicians to enter the country, put down the protests, and restore order.

The invasion and occupation of Blaoria was met with mixed reactions within Drambenburg, with former-Chancellor Walde Herzog being an outspoken critic of the military operation. The buildup and expectation of invasion in the months prior were widely condemned internationally, specifically from WEDA leaders like Shoassauan Prime Minister William Eurenne and Quetanan President Emília Medeiros.

Reaction

International

The international community widely criticized the invasion, with WEDA leading initial condemnations. Shoassauan Prime Minister William Eurenne called it an "afront to international law and the stability of democratic principles," and said that "Chancellor Auster-Brautstadt's gamble to undermine the outcome of a small nation's democratic election will backfire as the world rallies to stand against them." Quetanan President Emília Medeiros said that "Drambenburg would dearly pay for this betrayal of peace," warning that the invasion was very reminiscent of the opening stage of the World War. Emmirian President Akram Sulaiman called Auster-Brautstadt a "war criminal in the making" and ordered the Drambenburgian embassy in Rhaga to close. Chancellor of Albarine Sadie Melhaven said "this was not a surprise to anyone, and yet it is nonetheless shocking to see. Drambenburg's warmongers are towing the line extremely close to a wider conflict."

Outgoing President of Zamastan Atticus Moreau called on Drambenburg to pull back their forces and pursue diplomatic resolutions like the recent ceding of Chaesia, but his comments were met with criticism from both sides of Congressional Hall and leading presidential candidates Sabine Armitage and Leanne Dale, who both condemned Auster-Brautstadt and top Drambenburgian officials.

Prime Minister Elliott Timbrell of Candatora led calls for the Alliance of Nortuan States to unequivocally condemn the invasion, also referencing the World War and calling it "a horrific assault on a democratic nation."