Mandau Brigades
| Mandau Brigades | |
|---|---|
| Brigad Mandau | |
 Flag of the Frontier Defence Forces Central Command | |
| Leader | Tawi Riwut |
| Country |  Capuria |
| Ideology | Anti-councilism Orang Ulu interests |
| Size | 200,000 (est.) |
| Part of | Capurian Armed Forces |
| Opponents | Pro-Surubon militias |
| Battles and wars | Capurian Civil War Capurian Coup d'Etats Internal Conflict in Capuria |
The Frontier Defence Forces (Belaw: Pasukan Pertahanan Dalam Iya), more commonly referred to as the Mandau Brigades (Belaw: Brigad Mandau) after the traditional mandau, a machete-type sword weapon wielded by the original groups, are an officially recognised paramilitary branch of the Capurian Armed Forces. Largely comprised of loosely-organised militias drawn from Orang Ulu tribal groups, the Mandau Brigades have evolved from rudimentary and unofficial village protection units to a significant armed force.
History
Origins
During the colonial period, the Gaullican administration had maintained a loose degree of control over highland regions of Capuria due to the difficult terrain and sparse population, preferring to bribe village headmen by educating their children and recognising their authority. Law enforcement was maintained by the Gendarmerie montagnarde, which drew its recruits from Orang Ulu tribes and provided one of the major employment opportunities available to the sons of notables. This formation was subsequently absorbed into the mandate's law enforcement service, administering the inland of the whole island. Due to its links to tribal aristocracies, the newly renamed Internal Gendarmerie gained a reputation for opposing Councillism as well as violence. As BAHSUPAN-linked agitation grew across the island, the Internal Gendarmerie was increasingly deployed to bolster urban police units, particularly in the majority-Pelangi north. This led to further politicisation and tension, with the Capurian Democratic Transitory Administration forced by public pressure to dissolve the formation officially. The end of the gendarmerie left a large number of newly-unemployed and well armed highland youths with an anti-Councillist ideology, which would prove important as the civil war began to unfold.