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1719–1720 Hurmu civil conflict

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1719–1720 Hurmu civil conflict
Hurmu coat of arms.png
Date 1.I.1719 AN–present
Location Hurmu
Belligerents
Hurmu Assembly of Representatives Hurmu Senate of the Lakes Kingdom of Coria State of Coria
Çakaristan Çakaristan

Lac Glacei Lac Glacei
Raspur Pact Raspur Pact

Commanders and leaders
Units involved
Hurmu Hurmu Peace Corps

Raspur Pact Allied Mission in Eastern Apollonia, Hurmu & Lyrica

Strength
~
Casualties and losses
  • 14 killed
  • 291 wounded
  • 358 killed
  • 414 wounded

The Hurmu civil conflict began after the socialist–Umraist Assembly majority took their Parlerment seats on new year's day, 1719 (having been elected a few weeks earlier). Three months later, after much wrangling, the Senate confirmed the socialist–Umraist coalition nomination of Annika Raudsepp as Prime Minister of Hurmu. The first event was her cabinet's refusal to attend a banquet hosted by the Senate, as per tradition. In the first cabinet meeting, the newly appointed Minister for Constitutional and Democratic Reform, Filip Krmpotić, proposed the drafting of a new and fully codified foundational law with its roots in the sovereignty of the masses.

The crisis was characterised by a series of events that unfolded rapidly over a few months, reaching violence and deaths towards the end of 1719.

Another significant event was the Minister for Policing and Security, Ramzan Q̇adar Khan Abakhtari's declaration that the Hurmu Constabulary was an illegal corporate and Humanist militia operating under the guise of a police force. At the minister's direction, the trade union movement was authorised to deputise their members as auxiliary constables and take possession of all buildings, infrastructure, and equipment under the nominal possession of the Hurmu Constabulary. Members of the Constabulary were to surrender their armaments and warrant badges and withdraw from all involvement in public life.

The Senate debated how to respond to the events in the Hurmu Constabulary, with the Ayreonist-Traditionalist stance initially being one of measured calm. In the end, the United and Humanist Factions agreed to support a motion of condemnation of the Minister's acting, which would have no binding effect. The Finance Minister's announcement of the government budget bill was another significant event. The bill included the nationalisation of several companies and a corporate tax on company profits.

The Secretary of State for the Bank, Mint and Press of Hurmu stated that the government budget would be unacceptable, and the Bank would not pay out any funds to support it unless authorised by the Senate. The Senate sent Chancellor Li Naomiai to negotiate with the cabinet. During the cabinet-Senate negotiations, discussions touched on matters of political reform. In the end, the Senate proposed a compromise for a government of national unity, which the Cabinet rejected.

Within a month of the nationalisation plan being announced, 2,520 employees of the ESB-Jagdverbände, travelling on Constancian passports, arrived in the Lake District via Huyenkula International Airport and Kaupang International Airport. Airfreight containers, under the diplomatic seal of the Benacian Union, were observed to have been delivered to the Hurmu Peace Corps cantonments at Kaupang International Airport, where the Jagdverbände personnel were reported to have billeted.

Timeline

I.1719

  • 1.I.1719: New Parlerment meets – Senate in the Palace of the Elenaran and the Assembly in the Parlerment House. Assembly elects Rashid Hasanzadeh (SDP) to Speaker of Parlerment. In a break with parlermentary traditions, he places the question of no confidence in the Prime Minister (Jamshid-e Osman]] to immediate debate, following which a vote was held before the end of the day's proceedings. The motion was passed with 58 votes in favour of no confidence (on party lines: SDP, CWP, CPH, HUHU), 37 vote against (CDH, Edasi, EMMP, ISH, SY), and 3 abstentions (Koos, Mod). Jamshid-e Osman was accordingly removed from the position of Prime Minister, as were his ministers, with the decision to be postponed, in accordance with Hurmu law, until such time that Parlerment confirms a new prime minister.
  • 2.I.1719: Speaker Rashid Hasanzadeh met with representatives of the parties and senatorial factions to make an overview of what coalitions would be possible. As expected, no coalition would likely receive a majority in the Senate. Despite the calls from the Humanists and Edasi/United List, Hasanzadeh did not allow for more negotiations to find what Li Naomiai had suggested a "government of national unity" (like the one led by Jan Spiik briefly in 1690). On the evening of 2.I.1719, Hasanzadeh nominated in the Assembly Annika Raudsepp for the position of the Prime Minister of Hurmu.
  • 3.I.1719: The nomination of Annika Raudsepp to Prime Minister received a second reading. *4.I.1719: The nomination of Annika Raudsepp to Prime Minister received a third reading, followed by a vote in which 50 votes were in favour (SDP, CWP, HUHU), 37 against (CDH, Edasi, EMMP, ISH, SY), the remaining votes being abstentions.

II.1719

III.1719

  • 7.III.1719:
    • The Senate confirms Annika Raudsepp to the position of Prime Minister. It took the Senate 2 months to wrangle through internal negotiations and private negotiations with the incoming Raudsepp administration, to finally put the matter to a vote. With there being a 6-6-6 (not an auspicious number for the incoming socialist government) vote for the nomination, there being thus a tie, it befell the Chancellor, a United Ayreonist herself, to break it. Following the party line, she voted in favour of accepting the nomination. As such, Annika Raudsepp was declared Prime Minister elect, and she would be inaugurated the following day.
    • At the same time, the Senate prepares for the new administration by electing Mondo and Jamshid-e Osman to Secretary of State for External Relations and Secretary of State for Peace respectively.
  • 8.III.1719: Annika Raudsepp assumes the position of Prime Minister of Hurmu and announces her cabinet. The cabinet is invited for a banquet hosted by the Senate as per tradition but declines a banquet.
  • 9.III.1719: Newly appointed Minister for Constitutional and Democratic Reform, Filip Krmpotić (CWP) says in the first cabinet meeting: "The Senate has set forth no constitutional document that justifies its jealous monopolisation of the right to interpret and amend the constitution. Instead, it is time to convoke a people's assembly in order to begin the work of drafting a new and fully codified foundational law with its roots in the sovereignty of the masses." (See Constitutional reform movement in Hurmu)
  • 11.III.1719: Minister for Policing and Security, Ramzan Q̇adar Khan Abakhtari, declared that the Hurmu Constabulary, as it was then constituted, was an illegal corporate and Humanist militia operating under the guise of a police force. At the minister's direction, the trade union movement, as an emergency measure, received ministerial authorisation to deputise their members as auxiliary constables with orders to peacefully take possession of all buildings, infrastructure, and equipment under the nominal possession of the Hurmu Constabulary and to assume responsibility for the maintenance of civic peace and good order in the districts and states of Hurmu. The minister further directed that members of the Constabulary were to surrender their armaments and warrant badges and withdraw from all involvement in public life, pending interview by appointed investigators for links to extremist groups and corporate militias. Members of the constabulary exonerated from any such associations would subsequently be rehired following a period of retraining in critical legal theory and social awareness. For the duration of the evaluation process, members of the constabulary were to remain at their recorded places of primary residence, during which time they were to be considered suspended from duty and on half pay.
  • 12–20.III.1719. The Senate begins debating how to respond to the events in the Hurmu Constabulary. The Ayreonist–Traditionalist stance was initially one of measured calm, which media summarized as "just enrol the officers in the HPC and pay them that way", whilst the CDH felt this approach would be impracticable if the funding of the now unionised Constabulary was not concurrently halted. In the end, the United and Humanist Factions agreed to support a motion of condemnation of the Minister's acting, which would have no binding effect.

IV.1719

V.1719

  • 2.V.1719: A spokesman for the Secretary of State for the Bank, Mint and Press of Hurmu, Rosamund al-Osman Primo de Aguilar, stated that the government budget would be in whole unacceptable and that the Bank would not pay out any funds to support it, unless by authorization of the budget by the Senate, the prospect of which the spokesman said was "laughable at best". The position from the Bank was met with collective cabinet fury. The Senate sent Chancellor Li Naomiai to negotiate with the cabinet.
  • 20.V.1719. During the cabinet–Senate negotiations, led by Annika Raudsepp for the cabinet and Li Naomiai for the Senate, discussions touched on matters of political reform. In the end, Li Naomiai had proposed the following compromise for a government of national unity:
    • Representation from all political parties in Hurmu
    • A government budget that allows for more funding of health and social care and work retraining, a portion of profits (circa 10%) to be reinvested in workers each year, and full funding for the Hurmu Constabulary.
    • Greater role and protection of trade unions across the country
    • No nationalization of any companies
    • A committee, consisting of 36 people, of which half would come from the Senate and half from the Assembly, would be tasked to draw up a written constitution for Hurmu, to be ratified by the people of Hurmu in two referenda, one by the Electors of the Holy Lakes and one by the citizen population of Hurmu.
  • 24.V.1719:
    • The compromise offered by the Senate was deemed unacceptable by the Cabinet, which rejected it in a cabinet decision on this date.
    • Within the space of a month, 2,520 employees of the ESB-Jagdverbände, travelling on Constancian passports, have arrived in the Lake District via Huyenkula International Airport and Kaupang International Airport. Airfreight containers, under the diplomatic seal of the Benacian Union, were observed to have been delivered to the HPC cantonments at Kaupang International Airport, where the Jagdverbände personnel were reported to have billeted. Unionised personnel, deputised to perform the duties of the Hurmu Constabulary at the airport reported that efforts to conduct routine cargo inspections, as part of their assumed duties at these two airports, were routinely interfered with by HPC personnel and apprentices of the Honourable Company employed in the terminal buildings.

VI.1719

  • 1.VI.1719. In a private meeting with the Prime Minister, Chancellor Li Naomiai, accompanied by Commander Ichirō, warned the prime minister that unless her cabinet is willing to compromise on the role of the Senate and the Order in the constitution of Hurmu, on nationalization and economic matters, and on policing and security issues, the would lose the confidence in the Senate.
  • 5.VI.1719: Prime Minister Annika Raudsepp announces a draft resolution that rejects the supremacy of the Senate of the Lakes and affirms the supremacy of the democratic mandate afforded the Assembly of Representatives. Li Naomiai and Ichiro continue to pay the prime minister visits urging her to reconsider.
  • 6.VI.1719: Zurvanudin Miran al-Osman, accompanied by his daughter Pardis al-Osman and an eight-man security detail, was observed to have arrived in Ghawlama via the Hurmu Gate Network. Accompanying this party was one Temüjin al-Osman, noted as wearing manacles. The arriving delegation, presumed to have originated from Chryse was met by representatives of the Benacian Union mission in Eastern Apollonia and the 5th Vanguard Division. A motorcade conveyed all of the aforementioned persons out of the city towards an unknown location in the interior of Lontinien.
  • 8.VI.1719: Hurmu Air Service suspended cooperation with the Hurmu Constabulary, effectively ending the operation of the Air Support (Volunteer) Unit which had relied upon HAS aircraft in order to operate its civil air patrols.
  • 9.VI.1719: Minister of Transport, Hojanias Alibek, issued a radio appeal, relayed onto the data networks, for citizens to organise a Civil Motor Corps and a Civil Aviation Corps in order to ensure that the Hurmu Constabulary ("now serving the people at the people's behest") receives the support it requires in order to perform its routine patrol details. The speech denounced the efforts of the Senate to "obstruct and defund the people's government". The appeal is generally construed as a request for private and commercially owned vehicles, light aircraft, and helicopters, to be made available for use in the public benefit, at the direction of the Assembly-backed government.
  • 10.VI.1719:
    • Tensions rose as the HPC commenced work on raising earthworks and the construction of a gun platform for six M1584 80 mm Field Guns overlooking the tidal inlet leading to the port of Fiskarvik.
    • Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Ürimbay Bayböri, addressing the Assembly at Parlerment House: "The sovereign right of the democratically elected government to levy taxes and to raise credit cannot, indeed must not, be denied. To that end I have authorised the establishment of the Hurmu Credit Union, to finance the operations of the government at this difficult time through the sale of bonds via public subscription. Citizens, as well as comrades internationally, who invest in Hurmudan bonds will be investing in a progressive and inclusive future that guarantees a fair and sustainable rate of return for all who contribute to the struggle."
    • Felled trees reported to have blocked the railway tracks leading to the borders with North Lyrica (Nouvelle Alexandrie). Culprits unknown, with no declarations of responsibility forthcoming.
  • 11.VI.1719: Mondo announces plans to restructure Samhold Investments' subsidiary businesses on a semi-cooperative basis. Under the plans- seen as an attempt to undercut the government's pro-union platform- the holding company will retain a controlling interest, with the remaining shares held in trust for the benefit of the employees.
    • Mondo: "This was never about making money for Mondo. Mondo already has money! This is about using Mondo's money to make better lives for the people of Hurmu."

VII.1719

  • 6.VII.1719: The formation of the Humanist Yachting Association of Hurmu is met with scepticism and hostility by the Assembly and its partisans. The Trade Unions Congress of Hurmu called upon boatbuilders to refuse to accept any commissions from the new yachting association and for workers at those companies to immediately ballot for strike action should any company refuse to participate in the voluntary boycott.

VIII.1719

  • 8.VIII.1719: Nada Lesjak, the Minister for the States and Districts of Apollonia commenced with efforts to assert the statutory authority of the government in Transprinitica. In particular, the cabinet-loyalists were obliged to contend with the practice of appointing "superintendents" with civic authority over municipalities in the district by the HPC. This, the government held, was a clear instance of the HPC acting beyond its authority. The Cabinet further demanded that the Secretary of State for Peace and the Secretary of State for External Affairs attend to their duties and arrange for the expulsion of the illegal Benacian garrison maintained in the district.
  • 9.VIII.1719: A small truce between the Senate and the Assembly majorities is made when two Senators, Li Naomiai and Mondo (Chancellor and Secretary of State for External Relations respectively), and one assemblyman and minister, Mukarram Zubeir, leave for a state visit to Sankt Ludwigshafen.
  • 15.VIII.1719: State visit ended, delegates returned.

IX.1719

X.1719

  • 1.X.1719:
    • Chancellor Li Naomiai visits Prime Minister Annika Raudsepp to discuss the latest events. Each woman urges the other to stand down.
    • Zyl Avon-El, the recently appointed Hurmu ambassador to Sanama is recalled to Huyenkula for consultations with the Senate.
    • Massive student protests paralyze the campus at the University of Lausanne in South Lyrica with thousands of students protesting against the Senate of the Lakes, promoting the purchase of Hurmu Credit Union bonds, and condemning the FHP's policies on Hurmu. Students call upon government to support democratic process, including the socialist–Umraist cabinet of Annika Raudsepp. Plans to expand protests across New Alexandrian college campuses starts to gain momentum as small demonstrations start to pop up in Port Karsten, Parap, and Chambery.
  • 2.X.1719: Ghawetkiin Enkhjargal, the only member in the Senate with a good rapport with the leader of Hizb ul-ʿUmrāti ul-Hurmu (HUHU), Ramzan Q̇adar Khan Abakhtari, invites him over for tea to discuss the escalating situation in Transprinitica. The leader declines the invitation in an opinion piece in the Times of Huyenkula. "Despite the respect I had for your late husband (may he rest in peace), and what little left there is for you under these trying circumstances, I cannot meet you," he wrote, followed by, "My duty before the law, for my government, for my country, for my people, for my Umra, and for my God compels me to focus my attention on the Senate's illegal usurpation of powers in Transprinitica and elsewhere." Later the same day, HUHU campaigners, supported by the youth wings of the other government parties, protested outside the Palace of the Elenaran, shouting "Lock them up!" in reference to the senators.
  • 5.X.1719: In the Senate, Verionist senator Aliande of Laegel introduces a motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister.
    • Asmila Avon-El, for the Ayreonist–Traditionalists (U) opposes the motion, saying "now is not the time to create more upheaval in our society", adding that "there is no other credible way for a cabinet to be formed other than by a majority of the Assembly; and the Assembly has no other majority. There is little to suggest that new elections would give a different majority. The people have spoken, and we should honour that. Instead, this Senate should probably try to see how it may accommodate the government a bit more. Perhaps it is time we discuss constitutional reform."
  • 7.X.1719: Jingbei, Lanmen, and Luzhong reported to be in the hands of the Green Turbans following minimal resistance. Fighting continued in Tyrador.
    • Internal briefing prepared for the Senate by the Secretary of State for Peace, indicates that events in Transprinitica and the failure to issue clear orders to act against the Green Turbans has had a demoralising effect upon the rank and file of the HPC.
  • 8.X.1719: Fighting in Transprinitica spread to Grøßenburg, where the 149th (Paderborn) Armoured Regiment reported an attack by suspected insurgents upon its vehicle repair workshop. A Bytestridsvagn, held in the workshop awaiting the replacement of a cracked gear shaft, was destroyed after an, as of yet unidentified, anti-tank missile was fired into the building.
  • 10.X.1719: Ramzan Q̇adar Khan Abakhtari convened a press conference, streamed over all domestic and international data networks, as well as broadcast live on national radio. A remarkable scene unfurls as Ramzan, flanked by two masked doctors, addressed a select group of sympathetic journalists, making sensational claims regarding an attempt by agents of the Benacian Union to poison him. According to the Minister, poison was slipped into his tea during an off the books meeting with the Benacian Legate in Ghawlama, ostensibly aimed at ending the violence in Tyrador. He then handed over to one of the doctors who proceeded to explain how the suspected toxin had been identified as ricin. Physical symptoms had manifested rapidly, obliging the minister to seek urgent medical treatment. The doctor speculated that the Benacians had likely misjudged the dosage otherwise Ramzan, even after having his stomach pumped, would have been unlikely to survive.
    • A spokesman for the Secretary of State for Peace described the allegations as "claims are sensationalist and unverified. There is no need to lend undue credence to what is transparently an attempt to split the Senate from its international partners."
  • 13.X.1719: Heavy shelling of administrative buildings, dockyards, warehousing, and residential areas on the southern approaches to Tyrador, began with the dawn. BUDF suspected as the sole force in the region possessed of an artillery arm.
    • Videos uploaded onto domestic data networks show the minaret tower of an Umraid masjid, purportedly in Tyrador, being repeatedly struck by shellfire before finally toppling in subsequent unverified clips.
    • Terrified civilians fearing to venture onto the streets, seek shelter wherever they are able, hoping to ride out the bombardment. In spite of appeals from the Green Turbans for the populace to rise up in defence of their homes, few seem inclined to take the risk.
  • 20.X.1719: A pair of microlight aircraft passed over the Benacian Union legation building in Ghawlama, dropping flares, smoke cannisters, and paint bombs, and in return drew extended bursts of gunfire from unidentified parties on the ground. An extensive manhunt ensued for the pilots of these two small craft, conducted by contingents of the HPC garrison in the city and the 5th Vanguard Division. In spite of these efforts, which included spotter aircraft, the culprits were able to escape and only the abandoned microlights were recovered. Efforts to cross-reference the serial numbers of the craft with the civil aviation registry were subsequently rebuffed by the Ministry of Transport.
  • 21.X.1719: Samhold's EMMP-led municipal council announces that it is temporarily assuming control of all public services in the district. "The central government is rapidly losing control of the situation and nobody wants to see the frightening scenes in Transprinitica repeated here," explained a spokesperson.
    • Within an hour of the announcement, the Samhold Fyrd occupies key sites across New Hempton, including the council building, power station, main communication exchange and harbourmaster's office.
  • 22.X.1719: Annika Raudsepp and the Minister for the Keltian Districts, Mårten Kvalsted, (being the responsible minister for Samhold) denounce the decisions of the EMMP as "traitorous" and "illegal". Kvalsted issues a decree that removes Mondo Etzeterra from the position of Commissioner over Samhold and dissolves the local government in Samhold.
    • The commanders of the Samhold Garrison, totalling 14,426 HPC personnel, meanwhile issued a declaration that they would under no circumstances be induced to attack the established civil power [Mondo] without authorisation from the proper constitutionally mandated chain of command. This effectively constituting a further repudiation of the authority of the government led by Annika Raudsepp.
    • Samhold Council later issues a statement re-affirming loyalty to the Senate and accusing the government of hypocrisy: "The government likes to make a lot of noise about its "overwhelming democratic mandate", but those same election results show two out of three Samholders have a very different perspective. Even among the third who did vote for government parties, many are starting to have second thoughts as a consequence of recent events. People here voted for the SDP because they felt marginalised and wanted the hope of a brighter furture; they weren't voting for left-wing militias, armed with illegal weapons, to attack the Peace Corps! So we say this to Raudsepp and her cronies: next time you cite your democratic mandate, remember that we have an equivalent mandate to tell you to go to hell!"
  • 23.X.1719: EMMP Leader, Greta Mondosdottra, physically assaults Mårten Kvalsted with an ornamental cake server in the Assembly chamber. The young woman manages to lightly injure the shocked minister before she is restrained by assembly members and subsequently detained.

XI.1719

  • 7.XI.1719:
    • Reports from Tyrador suggest that BUDF forces have established control over the administrative district, harbour, and the HPC airfield outside the city. As the duodecennial festival of Eid approached, Umraid congregations complained of raids by Benacian forces upon their places of worship. These raids, which inflamed tensions within the Umraid community, appeared to be aimed at capturing suspected members of the Green Turbans as well as identifying the locations of Sanaman arms caches placed in the district by the CWP. Viric Merrick meanwhile has issued a statement announcing his resumption of office as Commissioner for Transprinitica, with his allegiance pledged to the Senate "until such time as the present disorders have ended".
    • The establishment of a Provisional Special Unit attached to the Psychology Department of the HPC elicited little attention during the ongoing maelstrom of events. With nominal headquarters in Huyenkula, the main function of the PSU appears to be the enabling of an undisclosed number of discharged members of the former constabulary to resume drawing a regular government salary.
  • 8.XI.1719:
    • Pro-government demonstrations take hold in Rekozemlje, with Mitrovska seeing barricades set up, and the long running general strike reinvigorated by an active boycott of businesses that fail to hang the red banner or the flag of a government aligned party over their premises.
    • The Assembly opened debate on legislation, proposed by Ramzan Q̇adar Khan Abakhtari, that would see the Hurmu Constabulary reinforced by Volunteer Divisions, organised at the state and district level, receiving companies of volunteers as they offered themselves for service. The proposed legislation would further enable the Minister for Policing and Security to organise the companies into legions, regiments or battalions, and to appoint company grade and field officers.
    • Resident of Mitrovska and budding aviation enthusiast, Pytor Ohlersky, suspected by some of being the architect of the Ghawlama microlights provocation, presented the local chapter of the Trade Unions Congress of Hurmu with an intriguing proposal for improving popular defence in a timely and cost effective manner. His proposal, on the surface eccentric, is readily accepted, with the promise of support from the Civil Aviation Corps.
    • The gravnoughts Leichengraf and Siebenberge arrive at New Hempton for a goodwill visit of Samhold Island. The senior captain, KzL Helmut Ritter von Huffmeier, later meets with local dignitaries including the HPC garrison commander.
    • HPC briefing prepared for the Senate: considerable quantities of Sanaman small arms, including rifles, carbines, and submachine guns, as well as mortars and automatic grenade launchers have entered the country via Transprinitica. Majority expected to still be within Apollonian Hurmu but efforts to smuggle arms into the Lake District must be expected. Ship to ship transfer utilising trawlers controlled by government sympathisers likely to be the main conduit. Expect diversionary attacks on HPC port garrisons over the coming months in an effort to prevent interference with the landing of smuggled arms.
  • 9.XI.1719: a first decree was voted through the Assembly, ordering the issue of 400,000 bond notes, certificates of indebtedness of 5,000 crowns each, by the Hurmu Credit Union. With an interest rate of 5%, the debt thereby created would be serviced through progressive land taxes and the revenues of companies taken into public ownership.

XII.1719

XIII.1719

  • 5.XIII.1719: The bill to incorporate Haratşarbatır as a municipality is passed by the Assembly. The same bill, having previously been amended, also makes the Southern District a municipality of its own, as well as splitting Samhold into three municipalities, Ataasiussuservik, Cape Mondo, and New Hempton.
  • 12.XIII.1719: The Ministry for Policing and Security announced that 22,518 officers had been discharged from the Hurmu Constabulary for collusion with foreign powers, abuses of office, and corrupt associations with corporate bodies. 11,856 officers remained on half-pay pending the completion of critical community relations and legal theory training. 78,214 officers, including former auxiliaries, had been rehired as full time constables.

XIV.1719

  • 3.XIV.1719: A ceremony is held in Haratşarbatır, attended by representatives of both Senate and Cabinet, celebrating the foundation of the city and municipality, as well as commemorating the memory of the namesake.
    • The event was marred somewhat by a brawl between the Green Turbans and clan members of the Silver Yak Horde which erupted in the hospitality tent, resulting in a number of unedifying images being widely broadcast.
  • 5.XIV.1719: The government announces by-elections on 10.XIV.1720 to fill seats for the Assembly of Representatives for the Southern District and the so-called condominiums, with 5 seats being up and elected by the residents of the Southern District, 17 for the Tanah Tōnán'hyôrï, and 10 for Oystra Stoorskerið
  • 12.XIV.1719: Jamshid-e Osman began formal proceedings in the Senate to commence a vote of no-confidence against the government, citing the revolt in Transprinitica as the main justification. The motion was seconded by the Verionist senator, Aliande.
  • 19.XIV.1719: Ramzan Q̇adar Khan Abakhtari reads into the records of the Assembly accusations that the 1704 Hurmudan attempted coup d'état had been staged by the then prime minister Daniyal al-Osman in order to provide a pretext under which to usurp dictatorial powers and to disguise the targeted assassination of political rivals whilst ensuring the blame was passed on to Barikalus. Ramzan called for the impeachment of all CDH members of the Assembly and the Senate for their complicity in a criminal regime, and promised to provide witnesses and documentary evidence to vindicate his claims.
    • Approximately 25,000 people converged during the evening on the Parlerment House to protest the against the Senate, both for the no-confidence vote but also in response to the news of CDH complicity in the 1704 coup attempt. In the following days, the Trade Unions Congress of Hurmu and pro-government parties began to assume leadership over the protest, which begins to assume the shape of an organised encampment.
  • 20.XIV.1719: Verionist senator, Aliande of Laegel is shot outside the Palace of the Elenaran by an HPC guardsman[1] who was immediately arrested. Aliande rushed to hospital, her situation being critical.
  • 21.XIV.1719: Mondovision broadcasts a special message from Mondo, appealing for calm: "The situation in Hurmu is unacceptable! Everyone needs to take a step back and really stop to consider where they are heading...before more people are hurt."
  • 22.XIV.1719: Senator Aliande of Laegel succumbs to her injuries and dies. She is replaced in the Senate by her daughter, Sirithil.
  • 23.XIV.1719:
    • The gravnoughts Leichengraf and Siebenberge depart New Hempton, after embarking the first cohort of the Samhold Fyrd and an unknown number of additional "local volunteers".
    • A memorial sitting in the Senate for the late Aliande is held, with new Senator Sirithil of Laegel in attendance. The Prime Minister wished to attend but Chancellor Li Naomiai did not invite her; instead Aliande's two other children were in attendance.
    • The body of Aliande of Laegel is released to the Senate, which keeps it cryogenically frozen in the basement, until it is safe to hold a state funeral for her.
  • 24.XIV.1719: Senator Mondo signs the motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister, bringing the matter to a scheduled debate the day after.

XV.1719

  • 1.XV.1719: First reading of the motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister.
  • 2.XV.1719: Second reading of the motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister.
  • 3.XV.1719:
    • Third reading of the motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister, followed by voting. All Senators vote in favour of the motion. The Prime Minister and her cabinet were therefore relieved from their duties pending the confirmation of a new Prime Minister by the Senate and Assembly.
    • Annika Raudsepp, now caretaker prime minister, denounces the acts of the Senate as undemocratic, "coup-like", announced that she would not compromise on a cabinet with the Senate.
    • Widespread anti-senate protests erupt in cities throughout the country.
  • 4.XV.1719: Trade Unions Congress of Hurmu announced an indefinite blockade of the Palace of the Elenaran. Protestors observed to be constructing barricades around civil administration buildings throughout the Lake District.
  • 5.XV.1719:
    • Massive demonstrations directed against the Order of the Holy Lakes and the Raspur Pact occupied the central streets of Huyenkula, with similar demonstrations in all major cities and towns of the Lake District, Transprinitica, and (name) in a concerted campaign of civil resistance.
    • Crowds assembled at the Presidential House to hear Annika Raudsepp read a manifesto demanding Hurmudan independence from all foreign powers, including the Order of the Holy Lakes, the immediate withdrawal of all foreign forces of occupation, especially those in Transprinitica and the Southern District, the abolition of the Senate, the formation of a People's Assembly to draft a new constitution, the nationalisation of all foreign companies operating within Hurmu and the establishment of a centrally planned economy under the guidance of specialists which will be capable of providing the means by which the needs of all in society are equitably met.
    • The Mondosphere gravnoughts approach Datret. After attempts to persuade the Army of Karnamark to declare for the Senate are rebuffed, the vessels change course towards Ny-Zanzibar.
  • 6.XV.1719: Arriving above Ny-Zanzibar in the early hours of the morning, the two gravnoughts bombard the Army of Karnamark barracks before deploying ground troops. After a brief engagement, the opposing demi-regiment is routed and the airfield secured.
  • 7.XV.1719: Annika Raudsepp, in a televised rally held outside the Presidential House in Huyenkula, denounced the attack on Ny-Zanzibar as "yet another flagrant aggression against the people and nation of Hurmu by foreign powers, carried out at the direction of the oligarchs in the Senate who are waging an illegal war against our democracy".
    • Raudsepp's speech was subsequently denounced by a spokesperson for the EMMP: "Raudsepp's latest rabble-rousing rhetoric is as disingenous as it is tone deaf. Many moderates in the Senate were open to political reform; it is the SDP and their allies who have consistently refused to compromise on their extremist agenda. Now they accuse the Senate of waging an illegal war, when their allies were the ones smuggling arms into our country! It's time for the people of Hurmu to wake up and see all the lies we are being fed in the name of Raudsepp's narrow take on "democracy"."
  • 17.XV.1719: Constancian and New Alexandrian naval task forces observed in international waters due northwest of the port of Nururfiskaravik.
  • 18.XV.1719: Senator Rosamund, Secretary of State for the Bank, Mint and Press of Hurmu and concurrently Princess of Constancia, advises the Senate that her mother, the Basilinna Esmeralda, taking into consideration the welfare of Constancians resident in Hurmu, has deployed a naval task force offshore in international waters, in order to assist and render aid to the legitimate civil power, as needed, in accordance with treaty.
  • 20.XV.1719: Annika Raudsepp in a televised address to the nation: "An organised conspiracy against our nation and our democracy has been under way since the start of this year. The oligarchs and the agents of foreign powers remain obstinate in their refusal to acknowledge the totality of our mandate to govern and reform. All efforts to peacefully negotiate the dismantling of corrupt and undemocratic power structures have been met with intransigence and violence. Is it no wonder that we must take steps to arrange for our own lawful defence? Unless the Senate makes immediate steps to arrange for its own peaceful dissolution, decisive actions will have to be undertaken by this government in defence of the sovereignty of the people."
  • 21.XV.1719: Arrest warrants issued for Ghawetkiin Enkhjargal, Jamshid-e Osman, Mondo and Viric Merrick.
    • Mondo responded to news of the arrest warrant by observing "well, it is always nice to be wanted."
  • 22.XV.1719: The Imperial Constancian Embassy in Huyenkula authorizes the departure of all nonessential staff and their families, and makes public and private announcements that it is evacuating Constancians, with an emphasis on Constancian minors and children.
  • 23.XV.1719: Internal HPC memorandum estimated "60% reliability amongst serving personnel, with a moderate confidence owing to significant regional variation" in the event that HPC formations were to "receive orders of an exceptional and singular nature".
  • 24.XV.1719: Allied Mission in Eastern Apollonia, Hurmu & Lyrica gives discreet announcement that the 1662nd Modan Brigade of the 1st Vanguard Division, 506th (Molivadia Province) Army is being deployed immediately for the 1720 security contingent for the capital. Constancians who remain behind are also advised that they are being called to active duty in accordance with Constancian law, and administratively attached to the 1662nd Modan Brigade, in accordance with their respective military occupational speciality or professional skillsets. Princess Rosamund, who holds the rank of Sarlashkar (Major General) and commands the 1668th (Timūr al-Osman Taraghay) Brigade, 1634th ESB-Jörmungandr Division, 505th (Aqabah Province) Army, is given interim command as senior Imperial Constancian Army officer present.
    • Mild incredulity spreads amongst the HPC personnel of the Senatens livgarderegemente, tasked with maintaining the security of the Palace of the Elenaran as protestors are observed to be establishing a barricade on the far side of the bridge over Lake Cashma, and erecting a frame-like structure fashioned out of steel beams and scaffolding with a passing resemblance to an antique trebuchet.
    • Homeowners and businesses alike complain of a sudden shortage of LPG gas canisters. Requisitioning by municipal authorities and the trade unions blamed.
    • Tubular protuberant structures, attached to a scaffolding frame by a complex series of ropes, cables, and pulleys, observed being set down amidst a heavily sandbagged enclosure on the northern approaches to the Palace of the Elenaran.
    • Requisitioned buses and lorries parked at key interchanges, closing off central Huyenkula to vehicular access.
    • Directive from the Ministry of Transport: with immediate effect, all public transport, including railways, within the Lake District and the Southern District to be placed at the sole disposal of the government. All scheduled services to cease operation. Drivers to await further orders.
    • Angled pylons observed being embedded in the streets leading to the gardens of the Palace of the Elenaran. Again scaffolding structures observed to be placed between the metal pylons, with protruding guide rails attached in serried rows.
    • Directive from the Ministry of Industry: All fuel depots to cease operations and await direction from appointed representatives of the government.
    • Reports of strong liquor being passed out amongst protestors in central Huyenkula by activists from the CWP and SDP. Men being encouraged and harangued to make their way towards the cemetery area of the Palace of the Elenaran.
    • Owners of fuel forecourts in Huyenkula and Kaupang complain of being forced to shut by representatives of municipal authorities acting on the authority of the Minister for the State of the Lake District.
    • Fifteen BK-III Verteidiger, with all hatches locked down and turrets reversed, emerged from the cantonments of the Senatens livgarderegemente and drive towards the Palace of the Elenaran, attempting to crash through the parked vehicles and barricades obstructing the approaches to the grounds of the palace. This is evidently the response that the organisers of the crowds have been waiting for. From side streets, blocking vehicles loaded down with building rubble are reversed out into the rear of the armoured column, in an attempt to block their retreat, whilst from the roof tops of buildings overlooking the streets below activist hurled down a seeming torrent of "Florian cocktails". The nightmare scenario of the tanks being swarmed and either knocked out or captured by the protestors is averted by the tank column refusing to halt, and instead continuing to crash through the barricades to its front. In spite of this, the action is a failure, with the tanks running the gauntlet of protestors and petrol bombs as the column takes a series of successive left turns on its humiliating way back to the cantonments that marked their starting point.

I.1720

  • 1.I.1720: Citing the thwarted attack on the barricades with armoured vehicles on the previous day, the bombardment of the Palace of the Elenaran by government partisans began at the stroke of midnight. Whilst the majority of the flaming LPG cannisters lobbed by the crude trebuchet and the improvised mortar tubes either fell in the palace grounds or veered wildly off target, the palace was struck repeatedly by volley after volley of black powder rockets, causing a fire to take hold in the rafters of the vaulted rooftop.
    • Awed by the rapidly spreading conflagration, the pro-government mob makes no effort to prevent fire engines and ambulances from making their way to the palace.
    • Reports from within the palace indicate a mass casualty event has occurred. Forty-one dead, with two of them alleged to be senators. The palace was placed into lockdown by the HPC detachment on the site, whilst an unspecified evacuation protocol was reported to be in effect for the remaining senators and civilian staff.
    • The pro-Senate administration of Samhold Island responded to news of the bombardment by severing all contact with the government. "After the shocking events of last night in Huyenkula, it is clear that a line has now been crossed," explained an EMMP spokesperson. "This morning, the municipal councils of New Hempton, Ataasiussuservik and Cape Mondo convened a special joint session and agreed to form a united island assembly. This assembly will assume responsibility for all remaining government functions and competencies on and over Samhold, in the name of Senate of the Lakes, with immediate effect and continuing until such time as the current crisis has been satisfactorily resolved. We are Hurmu! Long live the Senate!"
    • Unmarked transport aircraft were spotted landing at Varja airbase on Samhold and Ny-Zanzibar Cantonments Aerodrome in Karnamark. The nature of the flights is not publicly disclosed, but rumours quickly spread that the Raspur Pact is flying in additional Mondosphere "volunteers".
  • 2.I.1720:
    • A Senate spokesperson confirmed the 42 deaths during the Battle of the Palace of the Elenaran, naming also the senators who perished: Milo Enujohanenion and Yahyanah Jahanbani. They would be replaced by the next persons on the United Ayreonist–Traditionalist List, in accordance with constitutional procedures, Utas Ayreon-Kalirion of Waffel-Paine and Anastasia of Etzeland–Riskai.
    • Directive from the Ministry of Policing and Security: authorities in all states and districts of Hurmu are to render every assistance to the Hurmu Constabulary and deputised volunteers in taking possession of the cantonments and arsenals of the HPC. Populace to be armed by every means possible, at the direction of the Trade Unions Congress of Hurmu. People's Defence Forces to be organised in every municipality. Local groups may act on own initiative to thwart the rightist putsch. Do not wait for directions from central authority. Act immediately.
    • Forward Operating Base Longstreet (Mitrovska), a depot and hub operated by ESB Logistics, was attacked by storming parties organised by the Trade Unions Congress and the Minister for the State from local volunteers. The Honoured Sons of the Honourable Company completely failed to repel the attack, and endured substantial casualties in return for negligible enemy losses as the base is overrun.
  • 3.I.1720:
    • 7 backbench Social and Democratic Party members of the Assembly of Representatives announce that they have left the Party, in the wake of the SDP bringing the country on the brink of civil war. The outbreak group proclaimed their new party, "Labour Party for Peace and Unity", and announced that they would negotiate with the opposition to nominate a new prime minister to replace the outgoing Annika Raudsepp. In response, Rashid Hasanzadeh, Speaker of the Assembly of Representatives, announced that he was proroguing the Assembly until such time that violence in Huyenkula had calmed down, urging at the same time the Senate to abdicate.
    • The Board of Directors of the Honourable Company convenes in emergency session to discuss recent events.
    • Ghawetkiin Enkhjargal, speaking as director of the ESB Group in Apollonia: "The attack yesterday on the Longstreet facility, a corporate logistics hub without a military garrison, was nothing more than a massacre. Our answer shall be severe."
  • 4.I.1720:
    • EMMP leader Greta Mondosdottra, awaiting trial for her attack on Mårten Kvalsted, escapes custody. Although wounded in the process, her supporters subsequently manage to smuggle her out of the Lake District.
      • The police issue an arrest warrant for Greta Mondosdottra, indicating that she is wanted for "attempted murder of a government official" (presumably Kvalsted) and is an "incredibly dangerous woman" who "needs to be apprehended for the safety of the nation and for the peace of mind of her victim, who suffers from post-traumatic stress after the attempt on his life".
    • Four T-5/A-5 Tejón de Miel appeared over Mitrovska from the direction of Ghawlama at an altitude approaching the ceiling of that aircrafts performance. Entering into a shallow dive, the aircraft each jettisoned a pair of bombs whilst passing over the city before turning about to retrace their path north eastwards. That the bombs bracketed and ultimately demolished a food distribution warehouse on the southern outskirts of the city led to speculation that some hitherto unknown precision guidance munitions might have been employed. Municipal authorities reported sixty wounded, fifteen dead, and a further three missing at the scene. All were believed to be employees of the warehouse.
  • 5.I.1720: Second day of air raids on Mitrovska. Bombs fall on the city's general infirmary. 805 injured, 235 fatalities, and 35 missing. Once again, the bracketing of the structure with multiple bomb blasts in close succession, leading to its precipitous collapse, is remarked upon.
  • 6.I.1720:
    • Television stations under government control broadcast footage of damage sustained in Mitrovska during preceding two days of bombing raids, including images of bodies being brought out of the hospital levelled on the day prior. Unfiltered clips of the dead and dying also circulated widely on international data networks.
    • HPC cantonments in Mitrovska and Nis came under a concerted and furious assault launched by leftist militants, backed by enraged pro-government mobs.
      • Units at Mitrovska Airport: 122nd Aviation Base Regiment, 142nd Helicopter Transport Regiment
      • Units at the Nis cantonments: 55th Regiment of Peacekeepers, 64th Signals Regiment, 69th Depot & Logistics Regiment, 70th Depot & Logistics Regiment, 90th Medical Regiment, 106th Electrical & Mechanical Engineers Regiment, 147th Operational Psychology Department
      • Units at Nis Airport: 123rd Aviation Base Regiment, 143rd Helicopter Transport Regiment
    • The Senate, rumoured variously to be either ensconced in a panic room within the Palace of the Elenaran or else to have been evacuated to Ghawlama, was reported to have lost confidence in the combat effectiveness of the HPC, following the mass capitulation of eleven regiments, totalling 13,200 men. Jamshid-e Osman was alleged to have defended himself from criticism by pointing to the deliberate insistence of the Senate on minimising the martial aspect of the Peace Corps.
    • Mondosphere gravnought SFG Siebenberge launched a dozen missiles against the Army of Karnamark's command facilities in an attempted decapitation strike. Although all of the targets were successfully hit, by luck or design, most of the army's senior officers and command staff were elsewhere and escaped unscathed.
      • The missile attack nevertheless had a seismic effect upon morale within the Army of Karnamark: with no answer to the gravnoughts and, since Ny-Zanzibar, doubting their ability to face Mondosphere shock troops in battle, the Army of Karnamark promptly defected en masse to the Senatorial faction.
  • 7.I.1720:
    • Mondo appealed directly to the Prime Minister in an attempt to resolve the escalating conflict: "Ms Raudsepp, you do not have an overwhelming mandate for reform. The SDP, CWP and HUH together received 47.67% of votes cast nationally; your coalition has a majority of two! Or had, I should say, for seven of your fifty members have already had enough. Under most democratic systems, these margins would be insufficient for even minor constitutional change. You act as though 95% of Hurmu is squarely behind you, when that was never the case. People are being hurt and killed because of this delusion. Please, Ms Raudsepp...it is not too late to step back from the edge!"

II.1720

  • 4.II.1720: Federal Bank of Nouvelle Alexandrie issues regulations and directives aimed at curbing the sale of Hurmu Credit Union bonds, stating that it was helping finance violence and civil conflict in Hurmu. The FBNA placed a cap on the total value of HCU bonds that can be held by an individual or organization in Nouvelle Alexandrie. The FBNA has also imposed a high transaction tax of 70% of the total sale, which can be retroactively applied; a full ban on the promotion or advertisement of HCU bonds; enhanced reporting requirements for financial institutions facilitating the purchase or sale of HCU bonds; and mandatory background checks on prospective buyers to ensure there are no direct or indirect links to parties in the Hurmu civil conflict.
  • 6.II.1720: Formation of Panzerkampfgruppe Merrick at Tyrador.
  • 7.II.1720: Reports from Cardenas indicate that an intervention by the Federal Forces of Nouvelle Alexandrie to restore order in Huyenkula has been authorised.
  • 8.II.1720: The Nouvelle Alexandrie Embassy in Huyenkula authorizes the departure of all nonessential staff and their families, and makes public and private announcements that it is evacuating Nouvelle Alexandrie nationals, with an emphasis on women, minors and children.
    • New Alexandrian forces are welcomed as they occupy the Southern District in the face of minimal resistance, as mounting popular frustration with the government finally boils over. The 210th Army is poised for a dash northwards towards Huyenkula and Kaupang.
  • 14.II.1720: The Orthodox Church in Rekozemlje and the Society of Yeshua declare the theocratic state of Coria to be the legitimate government of what is Rekozemlje, declaring their freedom and independence from the socialist-led government in Rekozemlje, the one in Hurmu at large, as well as from the Order of the Holy Lakes.
  • 19.II.1720: The Nordstorm Brigade and Army of Karnamark attempted to seize control of Datret. Having badly misjudged the popular mood, the operation quickly degenerated into a fiasco as local civilians joined with pro-government militias to repulse the Senatorial forces.
    • In the course of the failed attack, the Army of Karnamark's 2nd Regiment of Mounted Rifles defected back to the government, together with the local Datret Demi-Regiment. The Oystra Karnahafn Demi-Regiment promptly changed sides immediately after receiving news of the defeat, while the Kirkjubooð Demi-Regiment's continued commitment to the Senatorial cause was far from certain.
    • Celebrations in Datret were cut short when Mondosphere gravnoughts appeared over the city shortly after dark. A short but intense bombardment of key government buildings and trade union officers left many government supporters dead or seriously injured.
  • 24.II.1720: The 1720 Battle for the Palace of the Elenaran ended with the storming of the building by pro-government forces and the death of Jamshid-e Osman. The Modan Brigade and the HPC garrison within the city were unable to relieve the defenders of the Senate in time to avert the collapse of the defenders. Severe questions must be asked of the competency of the HPC at this point.

III.1720

  • 1.III.1720: No-fly zone declared over the Lake District. Enforcement to be by the Federal Air Force of Nouvelle Alexandrie.
  • 5-6.III.1720: The recent rash of defections had left the 1st Regiment of Mounted Rifles as the sole combat unit of the Army of Karnamark remaining in the Senatorial camp. Suspicious of its continued reliability, local commanders attempted to pre-emptively purge the regiment of unreliable elements and impose Mondosphere officers; this high-handed move completely backfired, prompting the regiment to mutiny against its erstwhile allies. Although the revolt is easily quashed, by the time the dust settles the Nordstorm Brigade has been reduced to under one third of its former combat strength and is incapable of conducting further offensive operations.
  • 6.III.1720: Kamran-e Osman, eldest son of the late Jamshid-e Osman, announced the formation of a Combined (Raspur-Surenid) Infantry Regiment, to be formed of Babkhi volunteers and the retainers of the House of Osman. The regiment with recruiting offices established in Raspur is to be affiliated with the Modan Brigade and has been established specifically with the intention of securing revenge upon the Tudeh socialists of Hurmu. It is not apparent whether any volunteers will arrive in Huyenkula before the end of hostilities.
  • 7.III.1720: Deployment of the Apollonian Security Assistance Force in the al-Khadra District reported to be in prospect following exploratory talks between the Senate and Çakaristan. Lac Glacei also reported to be monitoring situation in Lontinien and Transprinitica. The Imperial Constancian Government, through its embassy, sends a diplomatic protest to the Secretary of State for External Relations with respect to the unlawful death of Jamshid-e Osman, who was a Grand Knight Commander of the Order of the Royal Blood and a subject of the Imperial State of Constancia.
  • 8.III.1720: The Riskai Grenadier Guards arrived in Ny-Zanzibar, together with lead elements of the BUDF's 2 Kavallerifördelningen. In addition to these overseas reinforcements, a local recruitment campaign saw nearly two thousand local volunteers enlist with Senatorial forces; the better quality recruits are grouped into a second regiment for the Nordstorm Brigade, while the remainder form a separate home defence demi-regiment.
    • Lac Glacei locks down border with Transprinitica and severely limits any groups from entering or exiting the country. Security is ramped up in Eesdeheito and Lac Glacei begins seizing all assets of the Hurmu Constabulary and placing its members under arrest. The Lacvian Volunteer Army, a free militia comprised mostly of Lac Glaceians of Hurmudan descent (known as Lacvians), arrives in Lontinien to aid in routing bandits still roaming at large.
Factions in control of Hurmu on 20.III.1720.

Senate with allies: dark blue
Government with allies: red
State of Coria: pink
Silver Yak Horde: dark grey
  • 9.III.1720: Operation Retribution - Wherein the ESB-Jagdverbände is tasked with rescuing the honour of the Order of the Holy Lakes by killing or capturing Annika Raudsepp. In spite of the slide into open warfare, Annika had refused to make all but the most limited concessions to securing her own safety. Her movements were predictable and regular, and she remained at the Presidential House, accessible to almost anyone who had undergone a cursory background check. Her eight man security detail, comprised of officers from the special branch of the Hurmu Constabulary were confounded as to how they are to make the Presidential House safe against the inevitable retaliation that would be directed against their principal. A panic room had been prepared as a refuge, and one of the cellars of the building had been hurriedly strengthened to serve as a bunker and operations room, albeit a far from ideal one.
  • 10.III.1720: The ESB-Jagverbande, having previously limited its actions to providing security for key sites and close-protection services for corporate and political assets of the Honourable Company in Hurmu, is now tasked with striking a telling blow against the government. The sense of momentum that the government has been able to establish through capturing the Palace of the Elenran must be shaken through a telling blow, and Annika is the most visible and obvious target.
  • 11.III.1720: Reports concerning her movements and habits remaining unchanged in spite of the conflict raging around her were initially met with incredulity, but as the days passed it was abundantly verified. She really was continuing as though she were a normal peacetime career politician. The Bitzurænhæd (Assault Unit) of the Jagverbande was accordingly instructed to assemble at Kaupang International Airport and to strategise. One question that needed to be answered was whether the cabinet was continuing to operate in the same muleheaded manner as the Prime Minister.
  • 12.III.1720: Incredibly, a sympathetic contact within the reformed Hurmu Constabulary was able to impart the news that full cabinet continued to meet in the mid-week on a regular basis. The Jagverbande was accordingly able to expand the scope of its original plan from being purely an effort to kill or capture Annika to being one to conduct a decapitation strike upon the entire government.
  • 13.III.1720: The Raid went in, encountering only light resistance, Annika and Ramzan escape. However a number of ministers were killed or captured. Fifteen ministers were finally reported to have been slain, a figure later revised down to twelve.
  • 14.III.1720: Operation Enduring Alliance - Taking advantage of the chaos in the upper ranks of the government, the 210th Army, and attached formations, commenced a three pronged assault on Huyenkula from the southwest, south, and southeast, supported by a day of intensive airstrikes against buildings associated with the Hurmu Constabulary, trade union movement, and pro-government political parties. A combination of airmobile infantry and light armoured columns sought to converge upon the Parlerment House within the next forty-eight hours.
    • The southern assault force, primarily made up of airmobile infantry units, was inserted by helicopters behind enemy lines. They swiftly moved to neutralize anti-aircraft defenses and create a secure foothold for further reinforcement. The airmobile infantry then proceeded to engage enemy forces in the surrounding areas, disrupting their communications and forcing them to retreat.
    • The southeastern assault force, consisting of special operations units and elite infantry, was tasked with the most daring objective: infiltrating the heavily fortified Parlerment House. Disguised as civilians, these soldiers made their way through the city, gathering intelligence and identifying key enemy positions. Once in position, they signaled for the assault to begin.
    • The force attacking from the southwest, consisting of a contingent from the North Lyrica Marine Infantry Brigade meanwhile fared as follows:
      • A cohort strength contingent of the North Lyrica Marine Infantry Brigade embarked upon 48 Javelin H-2 Siren helicopters, overflew Isammaland and landed at Varna. The deployed force proceeded to assault facilities operated by the Hurmu Constabulary and the trade unions movement in the city, following a preliminary attack by escorting helicopter gunships.
      • The forward leap proved to be a costly gambit. Nonetheless, the flags of Nouvelle Alexandrie and the Raspur Pact were briefly raised over the tallest building in the city, before being hurriedly replaced by the flag of Hurmu once more.
      • The remainder of the brigade entered Isammaland overland. A number of vehicles in the column are knocked out by improvised explosives, with efforts to move the burning vehicles off the road being hampered by effective fire from concealed positions. The commander of the column ordered his forces into a defensive laager whilst air support, in the form of helicopter gunships and light attack aircraft are called in, directed by forward observation officers attached from the Federal Air Force. Skirmishers were also sent out to discover and clear the further ambush sites along the road.
      • The appearance of a single Javelin M-2 Dragoon UAV over the ambush site allowed forward observation officers to pick out a number of concentrations of suspected hostiles. Eight Javelin H-1 Menace attack helicopters arrived over the target area and began to methodically pick off the suspected militants picked out by the thermal imaging camera on their primary gun optic. The casual slaughter, from a distance safely beyond the risk of returning small arms fire, continued until the opposing forces began to break and flee. With a pattern of airborne overwatch now established, the column was able to reform and continue its progress.
  • 15.III.1720:
    • Names of ministers killed or captured by the Jagdverbände are confirmed by a visibly shaken spokesman for the government in a released video clip. He further denounced the attack in Huyenkula by Raspur Pact forces, and ended with a simple avowal that the spirit of the nation would not be crushed by the conspiracy of tyrants or the force of arms.
    • Operation Enduring Alliance - As the aerial bombardment continued, the 210th Army's three-pronged assault on Huyenkula moved swiftly to secure key bridges and intersections, cutting off enemy reinforcements and supplies. The 210th Army successfully captures key checkpoints in and around Huyenkula, effectively cutting off the city's supply routes and limiting the movement of opposing factions.
    • Operation Enduring Alliance - With Parlerment House surrounded, the southeastern assault force began its attack at dawn. Under the cover of smoke and confusion, they stormed the compound, engaging in fierce close-quarters combat with the enemy forces. Room by room, floor by floor, they systematically cleared the building, eliminating any resistance they encountered.
    • Operation Enduring Alliance - Meanwhile, the other two assault forces continued to push deeper into Huyenkula, methodically securing critical infrastructure and neutralizing pockets of enemy resistance. Supported by air strikes and artillery, they made steady progress towards their objectives.
    • Operation Enduring Alliance - As the assault on Parlerment House reached its climax, the southeastern assault force discovered a hidden bunker beneath the building, where they found key military and political mid-level officers attempting to escape. After a tense standoff, 3 of these officiers were killed, the rest were apprehended and taken into custody.
  • 16.III.1720: Operation Enduring Alliance - With the Parlerment House secured and enemy positions around Huyenkula significantly weakened, the 210th Army and attached formations began the process of consolidating their gains. They established a secure perimeter around the city, setting up checkpoints to control movement and prevent enemy forces from regrouping.
  • 16-20.III.1720: Reinforced and re-equipped, Senatorial forces in Karnamark renewed offensive operations. Eschewing another potentially costly attack upon Datret, Senatorial battlegroups instead pushed east, capturing the towns of Mont Aignan, Ringmo and Calispere.
  • 17.III.1720: 1st March Demi-Regiment, 1st Demi-Regiment of Horse (Regiment of the Blackfriars') and the 74th Area Defence Regiment (ESB-Holïurs-Afzælt) embark upon chartered ships of the Honourable Company at Tiegang.
  • 24.III.1720: After capturing Ringmo on the 20th, the Nordstorm Brigade pushed south in an attempt to trap and destroy the Army of Karnamark garrison at Oystra Karnahafn. Leading spearheads from the brigade entered the city four days later, only to find that government forces had already withdrawn eastwards into the interior.

IV.1720

  • 1.IV.1720: An improvised blocking force was hastily airlifted by gravnought to Cruxelles in an attempt to cut off the government forces withdrawing from Oystra Karnahafn. Arriving later that day, the enemy rearguard was caught and scattered, but the bulk of the government column was able to escape.
  • 2.IV.1720: Operation Enduring Alliance - As the Federal Forces of Nouvelle Alexandrie continued to secure their positions in Huyenkula, strong pockets of resistance begin to emerge. Insurgents, primarily composed of remnants of the Hurmu Constabulary and pro-government militias, initiate hit-and-run attacks on patrols and checkpoints, attempting to hinder the 210th Army's consolidation efforts.
  • 6.IV.1720: Contingents recruited from Tiegang begin to disembark at Ghawlama.
  • 7.IV.1720: In Karnamark, the Nordstorm Brigade advanced westwards along the coast towards Datret, joining other Senatorial forces to complete the encirclement of the city. Conceding the suburbs, government forces in Datret retreated into the city centre and prepared to offer a final stand.
  • 14.IV.1720: Çakaristan increases border surveillance along the entire border with Hurmu. The border with Al Khandra District and Rekozemlje is closed, only refugees are allowed through. Refugee camps are being set up at Baçaim, Pardeh, Qampur and Qurtuba.

.

V.1720

  • 1.V.1720: The Çakari Air Force starts enforcing a no-fly zone over Rekozemlje. Apollonian Security Assistance Force (ASAF) crosses the border into Al Khandra District.
  • 6.V.1720: Honoured Sons and Humanist Vanguard, joined by former members of the Hurmu Constabulary, oversee the arrest and detention of SDP/CWP party members, trade union activists, and serving members of the HC denounced by their comrades as being supporters of the former government. Members of the Assembly of Representatives also interned, along with family members, friends, and business associates. Detainees forced to spend the night in the grounds of the ruined Palace of the Elenaran. HPC personnel enlisted to assist in providing security. The night becomes notorious for the ubiquity of punishment beatings carried out against the captives, and for a dozen or so drownings carried out in the nearby lake.
  • 7.V.1720: Mistreatment of captives continue. A number of assaults reported, albeit those making the reports were subsequently prevailed upon to withdraw them. Rumours of abductions.
  • 8.V.1720: Captives forced into buses. Destination revealed to be football stadiums in Huyenkula and Kaupang, hastily repurposed as internment camps. Registration process is thoroughly brutal. Families allegedly broken up and sent to separate sites as a matter of policy.
  • 9.V.1720: It becomes an object of whispered conversation that a number of individuals taken away for interrogation do not subsequently return.
  • 10.V.1720: Prisoners identified as having played a prominent part in the "Raudsepp Putsch" are gradually filtered out of the internment system and transferred to Ghawlama. Expected to face a series of trials for crimes against the Brida and the Order of the Lakes.

VIII.1720

  • 1.VIII.1720: A two-pronged offensive into Rekozemlje commenced by pro-Senate forces against the bastion of government loyalists and local separatists. Panzerkampfgruppe Merrick advancing from the far northwest, and the combined 5th Vanguard Division and the Regiment of the Blackfriars' attacking from the northeast, sought to converge upon and envelop Mitrovska.
    • In spite of the threat posed, the warring factions within Rekozemlje prove to be in no way willing to set aside their differences in order to face the greater peril.

X.1720

  • 13.X.1720 AN: Armed men dressed in the uniforms of the Hurmu Peace Corps, albeit carrying equipment associated more typically with the ESB-Jagdverbände, ransacked and looted the offices of the Hurmu Credit Union whilst detaining a number of persons present at the scene - whose subsequent whereabouts remained unknown. It was suspected that employees of the credit union had successfully smuggled bonds and securities out of the Lake District prior to the attempt by senatorial forces to force the dissolution of the organisation.
  • 14.X.1720: Purges of the HPC in the Lake District commence. Regiments in Huyenkula which failed to defend the Palace of the Elenaran, or to act against the former government of Annika Raudsepp, face disbandment. All members of those regiments to be demoted to the lowest rank in the HPC and dispatched to Rekozemlje. Officers in all other regiments garrisoned in the Lake District were obliged to draw lots, those who drew a short straw (one in ten) was to be immediately dismissed from the HPC, with all rights to arrears of pay and pension revoked.
  • 15.X.1720: Mondo expressed disquiet at the prospect of collective punishment of HPC personnel who failed in their duties. The Acting Prime Minister countered that it was only by selecting individuals from amongst them to bear the burden of the sin that the stain upon the honour of all HPC officers could be lifted.

XIII.1720

  • 17: Protests against the abolition of democracy, officialised by the passing of the Charter for the Order of the Holy Lakes on this date, continue throughout the Lake District. A vigil at Parlerment House was dispersed by gunfire, leaving dozens dead and wounded. Banners hung in the city of Huyenkula instruct the populace to "rejoice and make merry at the end of popular rule" – the speed with which municipal workers were sent out to take them down suggested that the intent of their display was satirical.

Casualties

Government side

Senatorial side

Notes and references

  1. ^ an as yet unnamed Senior Warden of the Senatens livgarderegemente
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