Balekarian War

The Balekarian War (Balekarian: Дапа̄нуту балакку, Dapānutu balakku; Kadolhan: Белакарски рат, Belakarski rat) was an that began on 30 June 2002, lasting four years, officially ending on 18 August 2006. The war began with the conclusion of the 2002 Balekarian protests, which was ended by the Laga-teshan massacre.

Background
The 2002 Balekarian protests are the primary reason for the beginning of the war. Even though the protests started peacefully, they quickly escalated into violence, turning into riots, which eventually led to the deployment of the National Republican Armed Forces and the Revivalist Guard Corps, days before the end of the protests. Balekarian authorities and the Colonial Guard were ineffective in suppressing the riots, alarming the Bureau of Overseas Affairs, who then urged the Bureau of National Defence to authorize military deployment to Balekaria. NROS and RGC units would be the perpetrators behind the Laga-teshan massacre, leaving 706 people dead in the capital city of Laga-teshan. This event triggered the formation of the People's Liberation Front of Balekaria and the Sahrawi National Front, and in turn forming the Provisional Government of Balekaria.

2002
The war officially began on 30 June 2002, and the situation was not going in favor of Kadolhan-led forces. The majority of Balekaria was under the control of the Provisional Government of Balekaria: Laresh almost entirely except for the northeastern portion; east Bad-taraka; south Kanosa; most of Toukarash; the majority of Ghouatan and west Delikir. Remaining parts were under Kadolhan control, except for west Kanosa, a small eastern portion of the same, and a small part of west Bad-taraka, which were under the control of Nayili militants.

The rebels began their first offensive in northwest Toukarash, with the goal of taking Laga-teshan, starting on 1 July. Kadolhan forces were primarily situated in north Balekaria, while the Balekarian Colonial Guard was cut off from the north via uprisings in central Balekaria. In order to support friendly Balekarian forces in the south, Kadolha sent a, that would have its naval air arm conduct operations. The National Republican Aerospace Forces had also began conducting air strikes against rebels in the northwest and northeast. Balekarian forces situated in the east were severely outnumbered by rebels and encircled. On 15 July, the rebels attempted to enter Laga-teshan, but were met with strong resistance by the Revivalist Guard Corps that defended the city.

By the end of July, the rebels made significant advances in north Delikir and Ghouatan. The National Republican Land Forces began an offensive on Douqib, the largest Sahrawi-populated city in Balekaria. The First Battle of Douqib began on 16 August. Kadolha made sure to send additional forces to the south of Balekaria, beginning deployment of said forces in late October, in order to aid the offensive in Ghouatan and Toukarash.

On 9 September, the Provisional Government of Balekaria began an offensive against Nayili-held positions in Kanosa. The city of Zentewe became a central point in taking Kanosa, starting the Battle of Zentewe. Most of the city was reduced to rubble in the midst of an air campaign against rebel forces. In early October, rebels made significant advances into Kanosa, although still unable to take Zentewe, the cities Manousa, Zeftara and Kalauki were under threat of being overtaken by rebel forces. The National Republican Land Forces sent more units to reinforce defences in these cities. In mid November, Kadolhan forces began a counteroffensive in the Kanosa province. While the battle of Zentewe was still ongoing, rebels were unable to take Hanousa and Kalauki, although at the time, half of Zeftara got under the control of rebel forces. In south Toukarash, Balekarian colonial forces have started making advances towards the north, aiming to cut off the rebel-controlled west and east.

Nayili militants began losing territory in Bad-taraka, and in turn had to shift remaining territory to government control. The city of Laeshka fell to rebels on 27 November, while remaining Nayili militants were forced to retreat. Outnumbered and scarce, Nayili militias lost the bulk of their forces in Bad-taraka in their failed attempt to defend Laeshka. The air force would begin hitting key rebel logistical supply lines in Bad-taraka, to prevent any supplies from reaching Laeshka. On 30 November, Kadolhan forces begin Operation Black Widow, with the primary goal being the complete liberation of east Bad-taraka from rebel forces. In December, Kadolhan air raids intensified throughout Bad-taraka. targeting numerous rebel strongholds and supply lines.

On 8 December, Kadolhans lose the First Battle of Douqib, which was a catastrophic loss for the Kadolhan side.

The Kadolhan Command in Balekaria had a military operation planned for December that would liberate the island of Bariush, which had a small remaining holdout of Balekarian forces. This operation was delayed as rebels started advancing in south Delikir and north Ghouatan.

2003
The Revivalist Guard Corps on 3 January ensured victory in the Battle of Zentewe, successfully repelling the rebel offensive. A major strategic city still in the hands of the rebels at the time was Zeftara, which was still being continuously shelled. Zeftara was due to become encircled as rebels began losing their stronghold in Kanosa, and with Zentewe under government control, it allowed government forces to begin a counterattack. It was only a matter of time when Kadolhans would sweep through south Kanosa and into north Laresh. Government forces also began making decent progress in liberating the rest of southwest Bad-taraka, so that they're able to continue the offensive into Laresh. 16 January, rebels are successful in taking the city of Kara-kash in south Delikir. Laga-teshan is still in the heat of battle, with significant advances being made in most of west Bad-taraka. If rebels lose Laga-teshan, Kadolhan forces would be able to move into north Toukarash, and cut off rebel holdouts in Bad-taraka.

At the beginning of February, rebels lay siege to Kautola in northwest Ghouatan. Kadolhan forces have started making advances towards Laresh through Kanosa. 14 February, Zeftara falls to Kadolhan forces, allowing them to move southwards more effectively and eventually into Laresh. On 20 February, rebels began launching missile barrages at Balekarian positions in the city of Lash-pauha in Toukarash. Three days later, with advances being further made eastwards into Bad-taraka, Kadolhan forces discover new weapons in the hands of rebels, not present in the arsenal of the Balekarian Colonial Guard. 27 February, Kadolhan forces enter the city of Veldegesh in Bad-taraka. A day later, the Colonial Guard's spearhead in south Toukarash broke through rebel defenses and officially entered the province.

On 3 March, rebel forces take Tanuydah in central Delikir. Balekarian forces manage to take Harakadum in northwest Delikir after a fierce battle. On 17 March, a rebel mortar barrage on positions outside of Zinjira kills Balekarian Colonel Kuri Eshente. The following day, Kadolhan and Balekarian forces defeated the rebels in south Kanosa. On 21 March, Kadolhans successfully pushed back rebel forces halfway through Bad-taraka during Operation Black Widow. Two days later, Kautola falls under rebel control, after remaining Kadolhan and Balekarian units in the city surrender. On 29 March, Balekarian forces manage to push eastwards into Toukarash, having taken local towns in the area.

On 1 May, the Kadolhan advance in Laresh came to a hold as rebels reinforced their defences in cities and local towns. Kadolhan forces were originally on their way to Douqib, the biggest stronghold of the Sahrawi National Front. Ever since the First Battle of Douqib, the Kadolhan Command in Balekaria made it high priority to effectively cut any supply lines to the city, alongside a bombing campaign. On 19 May, Kadolha began launching cruise missile attacks on rebel-controlled cities in south Ghouatan. Most affected cities were Lagantesh, Taricha and Dihan. On 27 May, rebels begin making rapid advances into north Ghouatan as Balekarian forces begin to fall to attrition.

10 June, Kadolhans begin an amphibious assault on the northwest side of the island of Bariush, while the Balekarian Colonial Guard is focused on driving the rebels more inwards to the island. With continued air support, government forces are successful in taking the majority of the island within a couple of weeks. On 18 June, rebels are relentless in their conquest of north Ghouatan and are advancing swiftly as government defences fall.

In July, it became more evident that the rebels were being supplied and reinforced by the Sahrawi Union and Kharaq, as well as Bloodia, though there was not much evidence to support the claim on the latter. That was the case until 25 July, when a Bloodian military advisor was killed in the town of Yarifal in central Delikir. Bloodian authorities denied the presence of any Bloodian personnel in Balekaria at the time, and deemed the evidence found as planted fabrications. 27 July marks the liberation of Bariush by government forces.

On 19 August, forces from the north push into Toukarash, along forces pushing into the province from the south. The offensive into north Laresh resumes as Kadolhan forces are homing in on the city of Douqib. Balekarian forces are attempting to break through in Toukarash as the situation in north Ghouatan becomes more grim. Any advances in east Toukarash came to an end when rebels reinforced their lines and began pushing Balekarian forces back. By 30 August, Balekarians were on a retreat path into south Toukarash, while their defences in Ghouatan fell.

On 4 September, north Ghouatan finally fell under rebel control, and remaining Balekarian forces were desperately pushing westwards. South Toukarash was also quickly falling to the rebels, although the situation in the west of the province was going in favor of the Kadolhans. 17 September sees the remaining units of the Balekarian Colonial Guard in east Toukarash surrender to the rebels, whereas some desertions were reported as well.

By mid-October, the National Republican Navy began to conduct shore bombardment operations on coast of Delikir. More progress was made in Bad-taraka, although south Delikir was falling quickly, despite all the efforts to halt the advance. The Ghouatan advance was also halted, but on 30 October the city of Langatan was taken by Kadolhan forces, which was a key strategic point for rebel forces in west Toukarash.

At the end of November, rebels lose their foothold in west Toukarash, allowing government forces to link up and split rebel territory into two.

In December, the offensive in Bad-taraka and Laresh was halted with the sudden increase in manpower on the rebel side. Rebel advances into south Delikir was halted with the increase of bombing operations and Kadolhan forces started a counter-offensive to drive them back. Kadolhan troops in north Delikir reported several cases of desertion in the Balekarian Colonial Guard, which allowed the rebels to advance further into the province.

2004
On 2 January, the rebels begin a counteroffensive in Bad-taraka, Laresh and Toukarash. Meanwhile on 8 January, the Revivalist Guard Corps begin an operation in Ghouatan, called Operation Cleanup, because of the inability of the Balekarian Colonial Guard to push past west Ghouatan. On 11 January, the city of Parante in north Laresh is besieged by the Sahrawi National Front. Starting on 24 January, the Kadolhan Command in Balekaria ordered the increase of cruise missile attacks and bombing runs of rebel strongholds in Ghouatan.

The beginning of February marks a series of incidents between Kharaq and the Kadolhan military, as the majority of the eastern border is currently under rebel control. On 9 February, an armored platoon opened fire on the Kharaqi border after supposedly spotting rebels. On 14 February, a Kharaqi convoy crossing into Balekaria was destroyed by an air strike. Not very long after, a Kadolhan platoon captured a group of fighters bearing Kharaqi passports, and at the time was more than evident that Kharaq was actively supporting rebel forces.

The Kadolhan military feared a potential encirclement of their units in Laga-teshan, and pulled some forces from Bad-taraka and northeast Laresh to reinforce their lines in Toukarash on 1 March. On 17 March, the Revivalist Guard Corps was making progress in their advance in west Ghouatan. Though more frequent desertions and surrender of Colonial Guard units in north Delikir allowed the rebels to quickly gain foothold in the region. Despite the lost efforts in the north of the province, Kadolhan forces were making effective advances in the south.

Kadolhan forces in Bad-taraka are partially successful in repelling the rebel counteroffensive, and with that concluded Operation Black Widow on 24 April. The strategic goal of Black Widow was to liberate the majority of the province and push the rebels more inland. The Revivalist Guard Corps were beginning to lose ground in north Laresh, but were gaining in Ghouatan, though their advance became significantly slower. The same situation was in Delikir, with Kadolhans gaining in the south, but were losing more in the north. Rebels started gaining in west Toukarash, with smaller advances made around Laga-teshan.

In May, rebels further pushed Kadolhan forces up north and almost out of Laresh. Local resistance cells in towns under government control began hitting supply lines, using ambushes and well-coordinated bomb attacks. This led to a spree of massacres at the hands of Kadolhan military and paramilitary forces, leaving thousands dead due to the suspicion of being affiliated with the rebels. The rebels managed to push into west Toukarash, as well as more into north Delikir. Kadolhan forces were once again facing a major issue in the north and center of the country, while the south was seeing progress in liberation, same with west Ghouatan. With almost no control over Balekaria's borders with the Sahrawi Union and Kharaq, the rebels were supposedly receiving training, equipment and additional manpower.

In June, the tide of the war officially turned in favor of the rebels, Kadolhan forces were facing major issues, as they grew increasingly more unpopular among the local population. This was the issue with members of the Balekarian Colonial Guard as well, who's members began defecting to the rebel side, allowing for a rapid advance in west Toukarash, Delikir and Laresh. The RGC soon reached the port city of Waratkan in Ghouatan, starting the Battle of Waratkan.

On 1 August, a Kharaqi violating Balekarian airspace was shot down by a Kadolhan  in Bad-taraka. Relations between Kadolha and Kharaq worsened as the war carried on. By mid-August, Kadolhan forces managed to liberate the western coastline of Delikir from rebel control, after a decisive battle at the city of Sahalfa.

In September, Kadolhan forces were forced to retreat out of northeast Laresh and central Toukarash, and to eventually regroup in Bad-taraka for what turned into a defensive war in the north.

In mid-October, the half of Delikir was under rebel control, Toukarash was falling quickly, and the north and south were cut off once again.

In November, the RGC pushed deeper into the coastal regions of Ghouatan, but lost some ground due to a rebel counterattack on the central frontline. Remaining forces in northwest Laresh manage to hold off the rebel onslaught.

Towards the end of the year in December, the Kadolhans in south Balekaria focused on clearing the Sahrawi border regions, and found numerous weapon stashes. Another case was on 22 December, when a patrol discovered a convoy of civilian trucks containing ammunition and explosives. Relations with the Sahrawi Union significantly worsened after an incident on 27 December, where a border checkpoint was fired upon by Kadolhan tanks, claiming to have spotted a transport truck with fleeing rebels attempting to cross the border. As for Ghouatan, the Revivalist Guard Corps made progress in the coastal regions, but weren't able to gain any ground deeper inland.

2005
January saw a quicker advance into Toukarash from the rebel side, and allied forces situated in Laga-teshan were at a higher risk of getting encircled. Due to massive hostility from the Balekarian and Sahrawi populations in Balekaria, the Bureau of National Defence and Overseas Affairs saw little hope in winning the war, despite the efforts made in the south of the country. These efforts would soon be in vain after the Kadolhan advance comes to a halt, and rebels begin to regain their lost land.

In mid-February, the Revivalist Guard Corps has begun losing ground in west Ghouatan, but still managed to hold the coastal regions. Just alike in the north, the war in the south turned into a defensive war against the rebels, who were on a proper offensive now.

On 8 March, the majority of the country was under control of the Provisional Government of Balekaria. Defeat seemed inevitable for Kadolhan forces, though rebels were still far from controlling the entire country, and the Battle of Laga-teshan was still raging. For the rest of March, Kadolhans saw losses in northwest Ghouatan and north Delikir.

On 11 April, intelligence reports indicated that the location of two key Sahrawi National Front leaders was found. The Kadolhan Command in Balekaria prioritized the assassination of Ihaab el-Attar and Azmi el-Guler, whom were believed to have been holding the entire rebel force together, because of differences between the Sahrawis and Balekarians. Documents reveal the Land Forces Command of the NRKS authorized the deployment of Unit III of the Special Operations Force in the town of Walakan in southeast Bad-taraka. The operation was codenamed Spider's Web. Unit III landed behind enemy lines and successfully carried out the operation in the night of 15 April. Leaked information also states that Unit III was tasked with planting evidence to indicate that the People's Liberation Front of Balekaria was responsible for the assassination of Ihaab el-Attar and Azmi el-Guler.

By the beginning of May, the news of the assassination reached the Sahrawi National Front, and without hesitation the People's Liberation Front of Balekaria was blamed for it. Severe infighting begun and the Sahrawi National Front split from the Provisional Government of Balekaria. On 18 May, they formed the Republic of Artacca, based in the historical region of the Sahrawis in west Balekaria, with all land under the Sahrawi National Front coming under official Artaccan control. Soon Kharaq and the Sahrawi Union would switch their support to Artacca, and their efforts towards independence. At this time, Bloodia had also publicly voiced their support for Artacca.

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