Battle of Nyabari
| Battle of Nyabari | |||||||
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| Part of Eastern Lyoa Conflict | |||||||
 LNDF soldiers during the battle. | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Lyoa Creeperopolis |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
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Kemoh Foday (President of Lyoa) Lt. Col. Jackson Itubuana (Overall Commander in Nyabari) Cpt. Joseph Uktaru (LNDF Garrison Commander) TNG. Martín Elvira Abasto (Lieutenant General of the Black Division) JGN. Felipe Cambeiro Cavallería (Chief General of the Creeperian Air Force) |
 Gen. August Yakata (Chairman of the NCLOF) Col. David Ngataba (1st Overall Ground Commander, UFD Third Formation Commander) Maj. Cyprien Nakuta (2nd Overall Ground Commander, NRF Alikah Platoon Commander) Col. Jacob Ntiba (LRM Commander) | ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
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| Strength | |||||||
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2,600+ soldiers 50+ police 20 aircraft | 700+ fighters | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
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LNDF: 64+ killed FAC: 7+ killed |
NCLOF: 56+ killed LRM: 25+ killed | ||||||
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150+ civilians killed 100,000+ displaced | |||||||
The Battle of Nyabari was a battle in the city of Nyabari between elements of the National Coalition of Lyoan Opposition Forces and the government of Lyoa and its Lyoa National Defense Force. The battle began on December 26, 2019 after NCLOF elements entered the city with the intentions of capturing it and ended on February 25, 2020, following the withdrawl of NCLOF forces from the city.
The battle resulted in a large scale fleeing of civilians from the city, and some damage to structures. Clashes were limited to the southern outskirts of the city where rebel forces established themselves. Parts of the Nyabari Police Department were also involved in the clashes, assisting the local LNDF garrison in fighting against rebel forces. Reports stated that three NCLOF groups were involved: the Union for Democracy, the National Renewal Forces, and the Resistance and Unity Front.
Background
The NCLOF was founded in 2017 as a merger of 12 different armed groups with similar goals intending to overthrow Lyoa's government. It came to be one of the more powerful groups participating in the Lyoan Armed Conflict. The threat of the group has largely been ignored by the Lyoan government, despite regularly clashing with the group. This has been a strategy of the Lyoan government to ensure confidence in its leadership, as correctly assessing the threat of armed groups would show weak leadership. This caused the NCLOF to be able to grow to be the largest armed group in Lyoa.
On the night of December 25th, it was reported that NCLOF elements were moving towards Nyabari by local sources. This alarmed some locals, who believed that a battle would take place. This came true, as the following morning, the NCLOF entered the city.
Timeline
December
The attack began on December 26th, when NCLOF forces entered the southern outskirts of the city. The rebels were able to quickly gain control of the southern outskirts and continued to engage the surprised LNDF. Several hundred civilians fled the city, and the LNDF began to mobilize armored vehicles to counter the rebels, who had brought technicals. Heavy clashes occurred on the 27th, as the NCLOF had attempted to advance on the eastern part of the city. In response, the LNDF began to fire mortars and rebel positions, resulting in some civilian casualties. On December 29th, the First Legion of the Resistance and Unity Front arrived in the city to reinforce the NCLOF forces already there. The NCLOF also revealed that David Ngataba and Cyprien Nakuta were in command of the operation. The NCLOF also attempted an advance in the west that day, resulting in heavy fighting there. The NCLOF successfully advanced on December 31st, capturing many LNDF positions in the east of the city, including several hotels and a police station. In response, the LNDF sent 100 additional troops to reinforce the city.
January
No major advances occurred through New Years', although some gun battles still occurred. On January 5th, rebels occupied several city blocks after periods of intense fighting. The same day, Lt. Col. Jackson Itubuana took command of all LNDF forces in and around Nyabari. Civilians began reporting the presence of Lyoan Revolutionary Movement elements near the city on January 9th. On the 11th, the LRM confirmed that it had sent around 200 troops to support the NCLOF in their attempts to take the city, confirming the alliance between the two groups. On January 12th, the LNDF moved an additional 100 troops into the city. Clashes that day killed 3. Between January 13 and 14, heavy clashes occurred in the city as rebels advanced towards the town center. The LNDF retreated and rebels captured the city hall. No major clashes occurred between January 15 and 21, although on the 21st the Creeperian Air Force asked to assist the Lyoan government in the battle, an offer which was accepted. Government bombing campaigns continued throughout January, targeting rebel positions in the city. Additionally, Lyoan President Kemoh Foday discussed the Nyabari situation with Creeperian Emperor Alexander II during a meeting.
February
On February 1, a gas attack of unknown origin occurred in rebel-held areas of the city. Rebels and certain NGOs blamed the Lyoan government and Creeperian Air Force for the attack, while Lyoa and Creeperopolis denied this attack ever occurred. Morova, a nation hostile to Lyoa, demanded that the Blue Economic Zone investigate the alleged gas attack, but BEZ denied this request. On February 2nd, NCLOF and LRM forces launched a large-scale offensive in the city, with heavy clashes occurring throughout the city. The offensive was stopped the next day by the government. On February 4th, Creeperopolis offered to send 2,000 volunteers to aid in the battle, which was accepted by Tigera. The force entered Lyoa on February 7, and moved to Nyabari upon arrival. The next day, the LNDF recovered several rebel positions, and the Creeperian forces arrived several hours later. Joint Creeperian and LNDF forces launched an offense against rebels on the 10th, recovering several more positions and repelling an NCLOF counterattack attempt. No major fighting was reported until the 17th, with a large portion of the city falling back into government control after heavy offensives. The next day, clashes continued, with rebel forces considering a withdrawal as government pressure mounted. On the 23rd, it was announced that most rebel positions were captured, and that rebel forces were fleeing the city in large numbers. On the 25th, the battle was announced over as the last rebel forces left the city.
Aftermath
Following the end of the battle, the LNDF used this as a way to build popular support, with Itubuana visiting several news agencies to make statements about the conclusion of the battle. The NCLOF and LRM in official statements again blamed the government for chemical weapon use. NGOs reported that a majority of civilian casualties were caused by government bombings during the battle.