Roca War
| Roca War | |||||
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| Part of Vasilin Sea crisis | |||||
 Damage to buildings in Osmino after being hit by a missile, 3 September 2024 | |||||
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| Belligerents | |||||
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Support:  Zamastan |
 Stasso | ||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||
 Jonathan Catalá Sumy Alvade Ander García Alenn Leisa Perie Jefferson |
 Ivan Tonovich Aleix Montilla Yulia Senena Germain Nicoldanov Afanasyev Georgiy | ||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||
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The Roca War, also known as the Rettoa-Kandson War and the Roca Inlet crisis, is an ongoing military conflict between Rettoa and North Kandson which began on August 31st, 2024. The conflict began after Rettoan president Ivan Tonovich ordered his military to blockade the Roca Inlet in order to seize its underwater oil fields. North Kandson and most of the international community condemned the sudden mobilization, and attempts to enter negotiations with the Rettoan government failed. Many nations pledged to aid North Kandson in the event of a war, but EUEEN would not commit to sending troops due to disagreements with the administration of Perie Jefferson. During the initial standoff a Kandsonian fighter jet was shot down, and hours later Rettoa fired thousands of missiles into North Kandson, targeting military and logistics. Kandsonian air defense systems intercepted the majority of missiles, but many hit their targets as well as civilian sites. Rettoa then began seizing or destroying Kandsonian offshore oil platforms in the Vasilin Sea. On September 3rd, Sateroc and Stasso joined the war on Rettoa's side, launching their own airstrikes against Kandson. On the 4th, Rettoa and Stasso began a ground invasion into Kandson. On the 5th, Kandson's national assembly voted to remove Jefferson and replace him with chairman Jonathan Catalá in order to clear up international aid to the country.
Background
Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, Rettoa and North Kandson were caught in tensions of the Vasilin Sea crisis, largely over the status of maritime boundaries and resources in the Roca Inlet. The inlet's natural resources include extensive seafloor oil and gas fields and rare mineral deposits. In 1988, a popular revolution broke out, and a military intervention by the Alliance of Central Euronian States prevented the government's overthrow. The same year, Rettoa and North Kandson signed the Treaty of Myrance and quelled most of the disputes. The treaty resulted in the demilitarization and the equal territorial share of the inlet, though prohibited the extraction of resources from the seafloor.
In the decades following the 1988 treaty, both Rettoan and Kandsonian governments had voiced disatisfaction with the treaty's provisions, but Kandson in particular adhered to it thanks to extensive alternative offshore drilling opportunities in the Vasilin Sea. Rettoa, however, has a far more limited remaining maritime boundary, and as such its economic prospects for drilling were severely restrained in comparison. As such, Rettoan vigor to overcome the 1988 treaty was palpable in the years leading to the renewed crisis. Furthermore, repeated Rettoan attempts to delegate a renegotiation of the treaty were denied by the Kandsonian governments of João dos Senell and Perie Jefferson, the most recent attempt having been in 2022.
August 31st
On August 30th, 2024, the Rettoan Executive Council agreed to a proposal to begin drilling for offshore oil and declare the 1988 treaty void, and president Ivan Tonovich ordered the military to blockade the Roca Inlet. Naval deployments began almost immediately, with drilling ships escorted by guided-missile frigates and destroyers. North Kandson's immediate reaction was condemnation, with Jefferson taking a stance of strong-arming language to attempt to deter Rettoa's buildup. When it became clear that the mobilization could spiral into a conflict, Jefferson backpedaled and requested the international community open diplomatic channels. The EUEEN sent delegates to Stasso's capital of Bohubem to meet with Rettoan diplomats, but the talks fell through as the Alliance of Central Euronian States (ACES) backed Rettoa's sovereignty over the inlet.
EUEEN, in turn, called for Rettoa to restrain its military buildup and claimed they would aid North Kandson by sending supplies and logistic support in the event of a conflict, but a rift between member states emerged after Odoni's president Gillian Avlin stated EUEEN should not intervene militarily as long as Perie Jefferson remained in power. Jefferson's administration was widely disliked in the democratic organization for its proven corruption, controversial actions against political opponents, and often-times rigged elections. As such, EUEEN governments and their military commands were not enthusiastic about joining a conflict to back an increasingly authoritarian figure. WEDA's approach was similar, despite a Zamastanian Air Force base near Osmino, that they would not send forces unless their nations were directly threatened.
On August 31st, a North Kandsonian naval patrol vessel, the UNA Damina, was captured by Rettoa and taken to port in Dnesroca where the crew of 52 was detained. Kandson responded by raiding the Rettoan embassy in Osmino and arresting the Rettoan ambassador, Sergei Lasibinov. Later in the day, Saterocean president Germain Nicoldanov welcomed Tonovich to Kolkesburg and vowed Saterocean support for their claims over the inlet. The blockade of the inlet had extended from Balatonlota to Esaset by this point, effectively cutting off North Kandson's access to the sea. Kandsonian and Rettoan naval ships and aircraft were now passing well within visibility of each other.
At 6:44 PM, a North Kandsonian AV-44 Varrie was shot down over the Vasilin Sea by a Rettoan Khromov UL-17. The pilot was unable to eject and was killed on impact. Following the incident, North Kandson mobilized its military and increased its flybys of Rettoan ships, prompting Tonovich to declare "[we] are prepared to go even further if we are forced to. We have all options at our disposal and we urge Kandson's government to take notice; do not test us."
War
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At 11:22 PM on August 31st, Rettoa's military began the first stage of a military operation to 'to minimize Kandson's capacity to respond in the Vasilin Sea'. Hundreds of missiles and drones fired from on-shore mobile platforms and guided-missile ships at sea crossed the Roca Inlet targetting military and logistics sites across North Kandson. North Kandson's anti-air defense systems achieved about 80% success rate, but the sheer scope and scale of the attack overwhelmed defenses and allowed for many missiles to get through and strike their targets. Damaged sites included dozens of power plants and substations, several military facilties including naval ports and air strips, and civilian locations in several cities. A missile struck a commercial port in Osmino, erupting a large fire and prompting evacuations of a nearby petrochemical plant. The cities of Fleport, Evlaso, and Esaset all reported damage to their port facilities and oil depots, while the inland city of Chocaster also reported multiple explosions. Commercial flights from the country's main international airport in Osmino were grounded, and the government issued a state of emergency for the entire country as the military mobilized to respond.
In a brief video posted to his FriendSpot account, Perie Jefferson said "We are under attack. We are working to protect our airspace and assess current damage, but this attack is not over. It is still underway. I urge my countrymen to stand strong in the face of this terror."
North Kandson's foreign minister, Ander García, pleaded with EUEEN to consider immediate reciprocal military action against Rettoa, though ongoing disputes created a redline for some EUEEN member states. The organization denounced Rettoa's attack and upheld their pledge to send supplies, but not troops.
Kandsonian military aircraft began taking off from the few undamaged air strips throughout the country with the goal of counter-attacking the Rettoan naval forces, as well as to intercept projectiles. Reciprocal missile attacks from Kandson also ensued, with at least two explosions near the Rettoan capital of Skarivka being attributed to Kandsonian air strikes.
Zamastanian personnel at ZAFB Cain were placed on high alert, but Zamastanian military command said no projectiles hit or targeted the facility. President Sabine Armitage condemned the Rettoan attack, and said Zamastan would not directly involve themselves in a conflict with Rettoa. She did, however, say Zamastan would logistically support Kandson in the event of a widened conflict. Direct involvement by Zamastan would be contingent on a number of 'unspecified factors', according to their Secretary of Defense Harold Casey.
As missile attacks continued into the morning of September 1st, Sateroc placed its military on high alert, as did Stasso and Tyrtha.
Timeline
- September 2nd
WEDA issued warnings that any nation who provided aid to Rettoa's operations would be met with strict sanctions, and that WEDA involvement in the conflict could not be entirely ruled out given the presence of Zamastanian military personnel in North Kandson. Caspiaa's government approved the deployment of two Penttinen-class frigates into the Northern Ocean off the coast of Sateroc in the event evacuations of Caspiaan citizens would be necessary.
Rettoan forces began capturing Kandsonian offshore oil platforms in the Vasilin Sea, destroying the ones it was unable to seize. Some Kandsonian oil platforms contained vital military radar and SAM batteries. At least 7 platforms were seized, with 14 set ablaze and 2 completely destroyed. The CCA Environmental Watch claimed oil spills were occurring due to the attacks, and that the Vasilin Sea was facing its worst environmental disaster since the sinking of the MA Sunfish in 1994.
The Kandsonian Kanoun-class guided missile corvette UNA Otiñar was sunk by Rettoan missiles six miles off the coast of Fleport, with 72 sailors killed. The rest of the crew were able to evacuate and make it to shore.
Throughout the day, 11 Kandsonian aircraft and 4 Rettoan aircraft were shot down.
- September 3rd
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A Khromov UL-17 flying well into Kandson's airspace was shot down in a town near Chocaster. The pilot ejects and is captured.
An airstrike on a Rettoan oil depot near Dnesroca killed two workers. A missile strike on an aircraft factory in Dnesroca killed 18 people.
As information about the conflict developed, WEDA, ANS, and SBU nations implemented sanctions against Rettoa.
Jefferson declared on September 3rd that Kandson's stockpile of anti-air missiles was running low due to the scope of Rettoa's strikes. The governments of Gladysynthia and Timeria agreed to send surface-to-air missiles to replenish the deminished stock, but EUEEN issued a unilateral statement calling on Jefferson to resign before they could approve the delivery of such weapons. Jefferson responded stubbornly, saying he would not step down and that EUEEN member states were "leveraging the people of Kandson with death because they don't like me. They can go to hell, until then."
North Kandson's defense minister, Sumy Alvade, stated North Kandson's plan to weather the assault relied on ensuring radio engineering troops, responsible for providing warning from air attacks, would be able to detect targets in a 300–400 kilometres (190–250 mi) range. In addition, Kandson wanted to increase the lifespans of its man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS), which had so-far played a significant role in Kandson's short range air defense capabilities.
At 11:49 PM, Sateroc's military began a major missile assault on Kandson, launched from both mainland Sateroc and naval vessels in the Vasilin Sea. The assault mostly targeted air defense systems throughout North Kandson, but missiles also targeted naval bases in Osmino, Esaset, and Evlaso, air bases in Osmino and Esaset, Osmino International Airport, as well as military factories and power plants in the north. Several naval vessels were also targeted, with the Otell-class guided missile destroyers UNA Nogueral and UNA Carrasqueña suffering heavy damage, and the UNA San Manuel being sunk with the loss of 112 crew. Saterocean president Germain Nicoldanov announced the beginning of the operation as a "necessity in supporting Rettoa to liberate its rightful sovereign territory from North Kandson occupation." Nicoldanov also activated reservists, preparing for a possible ground operation.
A Saterocean missile hit the Arnolde Dam on the Sarits River, causing a series of leaks and moderate flooding, prompting evacuations downriver.
Stassoan president Afanasyev Georgiy authorized the military to activate and deploy to Rettoa in preparation for an operation to "assist Rettoa", as North Kandsonian intelligence acting off information from the ZIS and EIA said a ground invasion by Rettoa and her allies was imminent.
- September 4th
North Kandsonian Z-11 Eagles performed a low-flying air assault across the border near Dnesroca, striking Rettoan and Stasson troops who had been staging in anticipation of a ground incursion. Upwards of 200 troops were killed in the airstrike. Defense Minister Sumy Alvade heralded the strike as a 'great show of resilience and preparation to continue the fight,' but warned the capacity to defend Kandson from a large ground assault would be greatly incumbent on international aid which continued to be withheld due to Jefferson's continued diplomatic spats.
Around noon on the 4th, thousands of Rettoan and Stassoan troops crossed the border into North Kandson as President Tonovich declared the intent of the allied force to seize the coastline along the Roca Inlet, with the operation including the aimed capture of the cities of Evlaso and Laleon. Heavy fighting began almost immediately in the town of Calvilpa. The main infantry and tank attacks were launched in four spearheads: consisting of Rettoan forces on the northern flank along the coast towards Evlaso aided by amphibious landings; a joint force of Rettoan and Stassoan troops along a central flank towards Osmino, intended to block Kandson forces from counterattacking or supplementing its forces in the north; a southwestern front from Cearat towards Chocaster; an incursion made farther south in the sparsely populated rural region west of Mondona. Throughout the front, Rettoa and its allies maintained initial air superiority, allowing for the deployment of troops behind enemy lines via helicopters.
- September 5th
On Thursday morning, the National Assembly voted 211-199 (with 60 absent) to remove Perie Jefferson from his post and to schedule a presidential election as soon as conditions could settle to allow for an election. The resolution stated that Jefferson had withdrawn from fulfilling his constitutional duties, "which threatens the governance of the state, the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the First Republic of Kandson", and cited "circumstances of extreme urgency". The resolution to remove Jefferson was supported by all opposition parties. Furthermore, 36 deputies of Jefferson's United Kandson Party voted for his removal. Under the 2008 constitutional amendment to pass power, parliament chairman Jonathan Catalá became acting President. Catalá, initially a loyalist of president Perie Jefferson, but one of his harshest critics since 2022, vowed to "work with allies to get desperately needed assistance to the people of Kandson and our brave defenders on the front."
The vote came an hour after Jefferson said in a televised address that he would not resign. He subsequently declared himself to still be "the legitimate head of the North Kandsonian state elected in a free vote by Kandsonian citizens", and maintained that his removal was a coup d'état. Jefferson left the capital for a residence in Lamstin under military protection.
Cavilpa fell to Rettoan forces on the 5th, clearing a path up the coast for the invasion. Kandsonian military officials warned that the coast was practically unguarded as a result of naval warfare and ongoing missile attacks. Disparities between joint-Rettoan and Stassoan artillery compared to Kandson's became apparent, with the current deployments of Kandsonian artillery along the front being vastly outgunned, in terms of both range and number. Kandson's artillery, though more advanced and precise than Rettoa's alliance, were simply too few in number to accommodate for the scope of the assault.
Rettoan forces were making swift gains across the front. They advanced into the West Mondona Region, besieging its administrative capital of Caershire and forcing the bulk of defenders to pull back to the more strategically vital city of Mondona, the administrative capital of the East Mondona Region. Kandsonian forces also lost control over the city of Crullfeld. In a sign of resistance stepping up, however, the Kandsonian military claimed that 100 Rettoan armored vehicles had been destroyed and dozens of soldiers captured following a drone and artillery attack on a large Rettoan column near Armsi. Rettoan forces also attacked the city of Inverness, deploying thermobaric weapons.
With Jefferson's ouster, EUEEN cleared the way for weapons shipments to head for North Kandson. Blallia, Odoni, Tunio, and Molenia cleared several heavy weapons systems shipments. Kandsonian defense delegates met in Asrett, Odoni, with EUEEN members to outline their country's defense needs.
Odoni Minister of Defense Emiel van Weezep, the organizer of the meeting, having visited the border of North Kandson days earlier told the meeting that his "visit only underscored my sense of urgency, an urgency that I know that we all share", stating he would like "this whole group today to leave with a common and transparent understanding of North Kandson's near-term security requirements because we're going to keep moving heaven and earth so that we can meet them." Behind closed doors, President Avlin is reported to have stated that "the next two, three, four weeks will shape the overall outcome of this fight", stating "time is not on North Kandson's side". Avlin also stated that the conference sought "to help Kandson win the fight against Rettoa's unjust invasion and to build up Kandson's defenses for tomorrow's challenges", and that "we do want to make it harder for Rettoa, Stasso, and Sateroc to threaten their neighbors and make it less able for them to do that."
Against a backdrop of domestic and international pressure, the Alterrame defence minister Odin Kambrecht announced at the meeting that self-propelled anti-aircraft weapons were to be offered to North Kandson from industry stocks, stating "Alterrame, together with its EUEEN allies, stands firmly at the side of its Kandsonian friends who are in dire need". This marked a major change in policy, having previously hesitated in sending heavy weapons to any countries in the EUEEN.
At 10:34 PM, a Rettoan missile hit a building in the Presidential Complex in Osmino, killing several people.