Sanpo-Çakar War

Sanpo-Çakar War
Emperor Hiroto's advisor Çakari signing the treaty under the flag of the prefectures. Sanpo lost its semi-independence due to the population growth problem and the economic crisis due to the inability to acquire land outside the West Sandwich. Jaaguzan demonstrated his legitimate power over Atiya bint Alsalam.
Date 9.V.1716 AN - 31.XV.1720 AN Location Beneluccas and Sri Pashana
Belligerents
Sanpantul	Çakaristan Collective Security Association
Commanders and leaders
Admiral Ishwar Chappan	General Amir Kalahara
Units involved
Spider Fleet	Green Fleet
Strength
107,800	148,000
Casualties and losses
6,622 dead	101,056 dead (civilian and combatants)

The Sanpo-Çakar War was a war between Sanpantul and Çakaristan. It began with a surprise attack on the naval port of Yalpan on the north coast of Sri Pashana. This first attack initially caused much confusion as such an attack was part of the plot for a military exercise. The battle erupted into a full-scale invasion of the Beneluccas and Sri Pashana by Spider troops. Meanwhile, two islands were added to the Çakar Empire, including West Sandwich Island. Because this island was close to Sanpantul's home island, the war was settled in Çakaristan's favour.

Background

Names of the Skerry Isles

Since the Sanpantul Empire was reduced to East Sandwich Island, but the population continued to grow, a need for expansion arose. Under the Çakari flag, Sanpantul became an unincorporated territory, with its inhabitants free to settle in other parts of the Çakar Empire. A nationalist movement, Sanpantul Victory Banner, had won the elections overwhelmingly with their message for "Restoring glory to the Empire" and "Room for every Sanpō".

There is a suspicion that Atiya bint Alsalam initiated the war behind the scenes. But direct involvement cannot be proven. Those who openly voice this suspicion in Sanpantul are dismissed as conspiracy theorists. Political opponents who voice this suspicion in front of a wider audience are arrested. To avoid using the queen's name, they are referred to instead as Aka no joō (赤の女王), meaning: Red Queen.

Eastern Horizon

Already years ago, a military exercise called: Eastern Horizon was prepared. This exercise falls in a sequence of military exercises organised in turn by the various military districts. The aim is for the armed forces to exercise jointly and under different conditions. In 1716 AN, it was the turn of the Chattaan Military District, the district encompassing the Beneluccas and Sri Pashana. In this exercise, the Royal Army of Sanpantul was invited to participate.

The plot was that the Royal Army of Sanpantul together with part of the Naarangee Fleet would attack the composite fleet under a fictitious flag. The composite fleet would consist of parts from the Çakari Navy's other fleets and is referred to as the Green Fleet.

Eruption of Mount Broadshaw

The Mount Broadshaw volcanic eruption did not cause major damage for Sanpantul, Beneluccas and Sri Pashana. There were Micrasquakes, but they were not enough to stop the military exercise. Planning exercises continued as there was no expectation of getting permission to provide assistance by military means. Civilian assistance was provided through informal contacts with Nouvelle Alexandrie.

Surprise attack on Yalpan

The first days of the war follow the plot of the exercise "Eastern Horizon". Herewith an overview of the plot versus what happened:

Day	Exercise plot	What happened: Spider Fleet	What happened: Green Fleet	Maps
Day -3	The composite fleet, the Green Fleet, gathers at the naval port of Yalpan. The joint fleet of the Royal Army of Sanpantul and the Naarangee Fleet raise the Spider Flag.	The joint fleet sails to their starting positions.	The last convoy of Green Fleet ships has been delayed. It is expected to arrive a day too late.
Day -1	Nothing scheduled	The Spider Fleet decides to go ahead with the attack.	The men of the Green Fleet are sleeping off their intoxication from the previous evening. The military council decides to postpone the exercise for two days.
Day 1	The exercise is opened by an air strike on Yalpan. The radar is equipped with all kinds of phantom aircrafts as part of the exercise. An amphibious landing on the south-east side of Bell Rock.	Jet fighters take off from two aircraft carriers, northeast of Portpur. Squadrons fly over northern Sri Pashana to Yalpan. The first targets at Yalpan naval base were fired. Among them were the radar and communication installations. Immediately afterwards, the largest ships were attacked and the air base's runway. An amphibious landing on the north-east side of Bell Rock. From the air, the military base on Bell Rock was bombarded. The space centre and nearby airfield were captured. Immediately, anti-aircraft guns and driving equipment were brought in by transport planes. A third wave of attacks with bombing of Yalpan, also hitting the town and the civilian airport.	The commander of military air traffic control is confused about the attack as it had been delayed. Yalpan is not alerted. The anti-aircraft guns were armed with practice rounds. It took a while for the posts to be manned, but real rounds were stored in a bunker as a precaution. This bunker was guarded by soldiers from the Chattaan Military District. The prevented access to the bunker until it became untenable. Thereupon, the bunker was blown up by them. A delayed civil airliner en route to Ruhatyn reports large fireballs and clouds of smoke to air traffic control.
Day 2	A chase by submarines on the convoy of ships including the aircraft carriers.	An advance of troops on Bell Rock, setting up coastal defences in anticipation of the arrival of the delayed convoy of ships. The Bell Rock military base is attacked, but the anti-aircraft defence is operational and fires back. Paratroopers land on the south side of the only land link from Bell Rock to the Island of Duras. They set up a reinforcement to hold this south side. Parts of the Spider Fleet begins a pursuit of the delayed convoy of ships. Submarines launch an assault.	The convoy of ships has stopped and sent reconnaissance drones, until correct intelligence is gathered the convoy holds its position. Land troops from the military base at Kahavatta advance towards Yalpan to come to the rescue. Navy ships set sail from Sri Luthore naval base. These ships were not part of the exercise.
Day 3	A capture of Yalpan and hoisting of the Spider flag over the naval base.	The ships that wanted to attack the convoy deflected to the west side of Bell Rock to block the drone attacks. The Green Fleet reports to Agra that so far the plot of the exercise is being followed in real time. The convoy is sailing southwards. The ships from Sri Luthore sail to Ruhatyn.	After intelligence came in, armed drones were dispatched. The land link between Bell Rock and the Island of Duras was shelled with these. Land troops arrived and provided help. After they were more or less in control, they switched flags. They raised the Spider flag over the naval base and over Kahavatte military base. A new convoy of Sanpo ships set sail for Schaarlecht, these ships were not part of the exercise.

Further course

Date	Course	Maps
13.V.1716	Resistance at Bell Rock breaks, the military base falls into the hands of the Spider Fleet.
1.VI.1716	Spider troops are ferried by ship from Bell Rock to the Island of Duras, the land link is not usable for long.
3.VI.1716	The ships heading for Ruhatyn met the Spider Fleet. After several warning shots by Spider Fleet, they communicated over the radio. After this, the ships surrendered and men from Spider Fleet came on board. The Spider Flag was hoisted.
22.VI.1716	In two columns, the Spider troops advance. More parts of the Chattaan Military District are joining the Spider Troops. More and more cities are falling and coming under the Spider banner, including Sri Sendavica and Portpur. The still loyal soldiers retreat to the Paryan mountains. Many civilians flee southwards. The Spider Fleet begins bombing raids on Ruhatyn and Schaarlecht.
5.VIII.1716	The Collective Security Association adopts a resolution to support Çakaristan. Amir Kalahara is appointed commander of Operations in the Eastern Skerries.
6.VIII.1716	A defence triangle was set up comprising Chattaangarh, Rajagala and Sri Luthore.
16.VIII.1716	The Spider Fleet resumes pursuit of the convoy. The convoy was west of Sri Sendavica, but sailed south and into the territorial waters of Haifo-Pallisican Imperial Trade Union. They had permission to dock at Ghriba. The Spider Fleet ceased their pursuit.
19.VIII.1716	From aircraft carriers, the Green Fleet began air attacks on the advancing Spider troops on Duras.
20.VIII.1716	The Spider invasion of the Beneluccas takes off, starting with the island of Tortuga. This proceeds smoothly because the forces present had been drawn together on the main island to defend Ruhatyn.
3.IX.1716	Spider troops also landed on April Island, hoping for the same success. But here bitter resistance was met.
21.IX.1716	Schaarlecht fell into the hands of Spider invaders.
29.IX.1716	The Spider advance south on April Island was blocked. This was a combination of fierce resistance and stagnant supplies.
2.X.1716	Ruhatyn airport was bombed, such that the runway could no longer be used.
8.X.1716	The Spider invaders began resupply via Schaarlecht airport.
10.X.1716	Duras city, just north of Argyra, falls.
15.X.1716	An armada of ships had gathered near Ruhatyn, to let anyone who wanted to flee. There was not enough room, especially troops staying behind.
17.X.1716	The siege of Argyra begins, the highway is blown up to stop the Spider advance. Bridges over the river east of the city are blown up.
20.X.1716	The Spider advance runs aground at Argyra. The eastern advance holds up, making them a sitting duck for air attacks. The assembled armada of ships reaches high seas and sets course for Vörpóazde. The straggling forces mount a counterattack, surprising the Spider forces. Submarines, originating from Mina' al-Luwlu, launch a missile attack. The Spider ships off the coast of Schaarlecht are hit. The former Çakari ships south of Ruhatyn are also attacked with missiles.
26.X.1716	A convoy from Çakaristan heads for Rajagala. Troops and supplies, including a new type of anti-aircraft gun. CSA-flagged ships set course from Vörpóazde for the main island of the Beneluccas. Spider ships want to intercept them, but hold off. Bombardment of Ruhatyn continues.
31.XV.1716	The Haifo-Pallisican Imperial Trade Union begins to become unstable, possible centralisation on Corum continent.
35.XV.1716	Both from Rajagala and from the main island of the Beneluccas, large numbers of civilians are being evacuated.
1.I.1717	A ceasefire was agreed in Tiegang. This agreement is valid for one year.
2.I.1717	The remaining territories are placed under military administration.
3.II.1717	Elections take place, with no representation from the Beneluccas and Sri Pashana.
10.II.1717	Negotiations on returning captured Çakari soldiers stalled. Offer to swap interned Sanpo rejected by the Spider negotiators.
13.II.1717	After another attempt for negotiations, a pause is made.
15.II.1717	From southern Sri Pashana and eastern Beneluccas, large parts of the population are flown over to Vörpóazde.
8.IV.1717	In new negotiations, April Island is handed over to the Spider Navy in exchange for prisoners of war.
2.VI.1717	Çakaristan has permission to start administering Haifo-Pallisican territories in the Skerry Isles and Wilhelm Isles.
5.VI.1717	Çakaristan receives West Sandwich Island from Nouvelle Alexandrie. The transfer of authority is scheduled for 1718 AN.
11.VII.1717	Spider Navy intercepts reports of reinforcements coming to the Green Fleet from Çakaristan.
24.XII.1717	In Tiegang, it is agreed to extend the ceasefire for six months.
20.V.1718	The Çakari flag flies over West Sandwich Island and the Haifo-Pallisican territories in the Skerry Isles and Wilhelm Isles.
1.VI.1718	The ceasefire expires.
3.VI.1718	On four fronts, the Spider troops attack: 1. Spider troops try to break down defences on the Duras main front. The town of Argyra is ignored, the Mayotte - Sri Luthore defence line gets the full force. 2. A new front was opened on the western side, when Spider troops invaded the former Haifo-Pallisican territory. 3. The last of the three main islands of the Beneluccas is attacked. Ground troops cross and land on three beaches. 4. From the main island of Sanpantul, West Sandwich is attacked and two landings are made.
4.VI.1718	The defence line holds firm, while air strikes are launched on the Spider troops' supply lines. In addition, the ports Portpur and Sri Sendavica, are damaged to the extent that they cannot be used for the time being. With communications cut off in the bombardment of Sri Sendavica, coordination on the West Duras front is lost.
5.VI.1718	Spider troops conduct air strikes on positions on West Sandwich. These later turned out to be fake positions. There is limited defences and the landing on the island by Spider troops proceeds smoothly.
7.VI.1718	Spider troops halt their attack on Duras, retreat to their former positions. Ruhatyn falls and the whole island is conquered.
10.VI.1718	Spider troops make their advance on West Sandwich. The Cakari troops close the trap and bomb the landing beaches. Hypersonic missiles are fired towards Sanpantul. Key military targets are hit in the process. Communication centres with Spider troops, satellites and the Spider Navy are taken out.
12.VI.1718	The Spider troops on West Sandwich are hemmed in and after a few battles, the troops surrender. Only a few combatants fight on to the death.
3.II.1719	Elections take place, with no representation from the Beneluccas and Sri Pashana for second time.
31.XV.1720	The signing of the Cenfae Accord, this officially ends the war.

Internment of Sanpo

Map of the internment camps

Near military bases in Apollonian Çakaristan, Sanpo spies are discovered. The Shahanshah takes the unpopular and possibly even unconstitutional decision to send all Sanpo in Çakaristan to internment camps. The former REST camps in Jaguda, Kyazilkai and Tartaristan are used for this purpose. There are several protests in Agra and several cities in Bulqan against this decision.

Internment by Sanpo

The Spider invaders set up camps at various locations to hold the prisoners of war. While these makeshift camps were adequately guarded, care for the prisoners of war was minimal. Over time, civilians were also confined in these camps. These civilians were accused of treason and suspected of collaborating with Çakaristan.

Deployment of nuclear weapons

It is an open secret that Çakaristan possesses nuclear weapons. The Shahanshah has refused to deploy them against Sanpantul. If a nuclear weapons attack were considered, it would be aimed directly at Sanpantul, not the occupied territories. But with this, the Shahanshah's sister could be among the casualties.

Conclusion

Cenfae Mahal near Maulikpur

On 31.XV.1720 AN, the war was officially ended with the signing of the Cenfae Accord. This treaty regulated:

• unconditional surrender and termination of Sanpantul;
• reduction of the army to a defence army;
• restitution of the Beneluccas and Sri Pashana;
• return of prisoners of war;
• return of the Sanpo from the Çakari internment camps;
• reparations;
• establishment of the Kipei War Crimes Tribunal seeking to convict the Spider Leadership for crimes against peace. But the Emperor and Empress are excluded;
• Sanpantul will be no longer as an unincorporated territory, but incorporated into the empire as a princely state;
• The emperor is allowed to stay on, but his role becomes purely ceremonial;
• West Sandwich is added to Sanpantul.

International reactions

•  Nouvelle Alexandrie: As a non-belligerent in the conflict, Nouvelle Alexandrie observed the Sanpo-Çakar War with concern. However, the normalisation of relations between New Alexandria and Çakaristan, combined with a fear that the Sanpo might seek to align with the Confederacy of the Dispossessed, saw the government of Felipe de Almagro refrain from issuing a formal declaration of neutrality. Instead, what has been observed to occur in the Alexandrian Skerry Isles (New Luthoria and the Isles of Caputia) is a policy whereby naval and commercial vessels flying the Çakari flag have been quietly accorded rights of transit and safe harbour, whilst their Sanpantul counterparts have been subject to internment by the Federal Navy whenever encountered under similar circumstances.