Haifan Civil War

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The Haifan Civil War began in 38.90 PSSC (1668 AN) in the immediate aftermath of the dissolution of Caputia, following the occupation and annexation of parts of Haifa by the Haifo-Pallisican Imperial Trade Union. Though it originally pertained exclusively to Haifa, the conflict was rapidly expanded - as a result of Bassarid concerns regarding the involvement of Hoenn in the Humanitarian Mission in former Caputia - to other parts of Caputia and Wechua.

A segment of a leaked conversation between Bassarid and unnamed foreign representatives reveals that the Haifan Civil War was not intended to expand beyond the borders of Haifa itself. The conflict expanded across Caputia as a result of concerns regarding Hoennese involvement in the Humanitarian Mission in former Caputia.
Haifan Civil War
File:LakeMoroviaVessel.jpg
A single warship sits waiting in the swamps of Lake Morovia
Location Bassarid Haifa
Status Ongoing
Belligerents
Keltian League Greater Morovian Independence Initiative Alperkin
Normarkian Civilian Militia Anti-Noctic League Odiferae
USSO Joint Command Haifan Anti-Bassarid Collective
Jezeraah
Strength
52,920

43,669

39,443






Background

Bassarid Infiltration and Caputian Response

The high level of tension which existed between Bassarids and non-Bassarids (or anti-Bassarids) in Keltia prior to the outbreak of the Haifan Civil War can be partially explained by the long history of unapologetic Bassarid political and religious interference in Hammish/Caputian affairs. This interference, which began in the early 35th era and which gradually increased in scope and intensity despite international criticism, contributed directly to the outbreak of the Hammish Civil War, to the rise of Haifan nationalism, and to the eventual complete collapse of the government of Caputia.

Religious Intolerance in Caputia

In response to constant, ongoing efforts to infiltrate and disrupt political and social life in the nation, the government of Hamland began in the early 36th era to adopt and impose laws aimed at restricting and ultimately eliminating the practice of the Stripping Path within the nation's borders, and across Keltia. The implementation of these policies served to seriously radicalize practitioners of the expanding Bassarid religion. This radicalization came to the forefront of world attention during the War of Lost Brothers, when Bassarid "commercial cults" engaged in extensive acts of terrorism against SANE-backed forces in the northern Strait of Haifa.

Haifan and Morovian Nationalism

Although it was originally a secular movement aimed removing Hammish/Caputian control from the region surrounding Lake Morovia, the Haifan nationalist movement was subsumed in the period following the War of Lost Brothers by Bassarid religious zealots who had been radicalized as a result of anti-Bassarid policies imposed by the Hammish government. This subsummation of the ideals of Haifan nationalism by Bassarid zealots would result in a rift within the nationalist movement. Those who rejected the influence of the Bassarid religion, to this end, would shift their focus from the principles of Haifan nationalism, which sought Haifan independence from Caputia, to Morovian nationalism, which sought independence from all foreign influence. The development of Morovian nationalism would contribute to the formation of the Greater Morovian Independence Initiative, which was first formally established when the pirates associated with the Lake Morovia Blockade Fund defected from the Port of Jogi to the Independent Port of Lake Morovia. This defection would lay the groundwork for widespread conflict during the Haifan Civil War.

Prelude

Date Event Significance
35.70 PSSC (6534 ASC) National Salvation Front and the Emergence of Haifan Nationalism. The government of Hamland privately expresses concern regarding Pallisican influence over the National Salvation Front, which increasingly serves as a hotbed for Haifan nationalist sentiment. Of particular concern to the Caputian government is the relationship between Haifan nationalism and the rapidly expanding Stripping Path.
36.45 PSSC (6710 ASC) Opposition to the Stripping Path in Haifa The Caputian government publicly condemns the actions of the Order of Rochefort after the anti-Bassarid organization pursues religious cleansing in Haifa. Nevertheless, the Caputian government continues to implement anti-Bassarid policies, which seek to restrict the practice of the religion to certain parts of the former Free State of Haifa, namely Tel Amin and Lewisburg.
36.74 PSSC (6724 ASC) Denial of Citizenship to Bassarid Immigrants Queen Elizabeth I decrees that Caputia will deny citizenship to any foreign immigrant who espouses views which correspond to the beliefs of the Stripping Path. The announcement creates a sense of uncertainty among domestic practitioners of the Stripping Path, who now begin to quietly support the prospect of Haifan independence.
37.08 PSSC (6786 ASC) Expulsion of Bassaridian Practitioners The government of Caputia announces that it will attempt to forcefully expel all practitioners of the Bassarid religion from its borders, and declares all Pallisican, or Bassarid contributions to Caputian culture Damnatio Memoriae. The move sparks outrage across the Strait of Haifa and Lake Morovia, and serves to fuel a significant escalation and increase in Haifan nationalist sentiment.
37.41 PSSC (6847 ASC) The Judah Speech Tensions between practitioners and non-practitioners of the Bassarid religion in Haifa reach an all-time high after Royston Merrick - in his infamous speech entitled the Judah Speech - characterizes the Stripping Path as a religion of terror and subversion. Merrick's speech lays the groundwork for the formation of the partnerships and alliances which will soon drive the Haifan Civil War.
38.25 PSSC (7000 ASC ) Haifan Independence Referendums The government of Caputia rejects the outcome of a referendum in which Haifans vote in favor of independence, citing low voter turn-out and national security concerns. Riots break out in Haifa when in 38.60, the Caputian government recognizes the outcome of a second independence referendum in which Haifans apparently reject independence in favor of a continued union with Caputia. These riots escalate into skirmishes and eventually battles as the government of Caputia, facing a lack of internal stability, fails to respond appropriately to demonstrations.
38.90 PSSC (7120 ASC ) Collapse of Caputian Government and Bassarid Intervention The New Zimian War League intervenes in Haifa following the collapse of the Caputian government, in an effort to preserve and restore stability in the region surrounding Lake Morovia. The entry of Bassarid forces into the region results in an immediate, significant escalation in violence in parts of the country, as protestors and rebels resort to more extreme measures in their efforts to oppose Bassarid control. In the city of Lewisburg, anti-Bassarid authorities conduct an expansive series of "witch trials" in which practitioners of the Stripping Path are sentenced to brutal and bizarre punishments. Simultaneous to the outbreak of these witch trials, the city of Tel-Amin is sacked and effectively destroyed by paramilitary forces representing the Greater Morovian Independence Initiative. These two events mark the formal beginning of the Haifan Civil War.


Participant Summary

Keltian League

The Keltian League is the military force which represents the Haifo-Pallisican Imperial Trade Union in Keltia. The Keltian League intervened in the Haifan Civil War at the outset of the conflict on the basis of a two part campaign, which sought first of all to mitigate the outbreak and expansion of violent chaos in the region following the dissolution of the government of Caputia, and second to restore and protect the practice of the Bassarid religion in mainland Haifa, where practitioners of the religion have long faced extreme persecution.

Allies and Partners

Normarkian Civilian Militia

The Normarkian Civilian Militia is de-centralized military force that is sponsored by the Regional Investor of the semi-autonomous Bassarid Kingdom of New Normark. The Civilian Militia entered the Haifan Civil War as an ally of the Bassarids, as a result of its commitment to defending the Normarkian city-state of Vaeringheim.

USSO Joint Command

Greater Morovian Independence Initiative

Established in 36.75 PSSC as an offshoot of the Israati-Haifan Nationalist Movement, the Greater Morovian Independence Initiative is a political organization which seeks the radical and violent overthrow of all foreign authorities in the region surrounding Lake Morovia. The Independence Initiative is the leading supporter of the anti-Bassarid paramilitary organizations which in 38.90, took up arms against the Keltian League following the annexation of Abeis by the Haifo-Pallisican Imperial Trade Union.

Allies and Partners

Anti-Noctic League

The Anti-Noctic League is an order of battle hardened mercenaries who operate in the region of Lake Morovia on behalf of investors in the Independent Port of Lake Morovia. Since 38.12 PSSC the Anti-Noctic League has occupied most of the region known as Independent Alperkin.

Haifan Anti-Bassarid Collective

The Haifan Anti-Bassarid Collective is a loose confederation of radical anti-Bassarid, pro-Caputian, and pro-Melusinian paramilitary organizations who in 38.90 took up arms in revolt against the Bassarid occupation and annexation of the Haifan capitol city.

Jezeraah

The Abeisan Archipelago, also known as Jezeraah, long a holdout of anti-Bassarid sentiment, openly revolted against the occupying Haifo-Pallisican Imperial Trade Union and declared the Republic of Jezeraah. The Republic considered itself the true successor to the Free State of Haifa and further considered the administration in Abeis to be a puppet government to the Haifo-Pallisicans. Owing to their long-standing, close relationship with the pirates who constitute the Lake Morovia Blockade Fund, the Republic of Jezeraah entered the conflict in Haifa as a close, important ally of the Greater Morovian Independence Initiative.

Alperkin

The Alperkin is a confederation of nomadic religious fanatics who practice a bizarre belief system which is heavily based on the extensive consumption of the drug known as Noctic-Rabrev. While it is the case that the Baratar - the official military force of the Alperkin - played a relatively minor role in fighting during the Haifan Civil War, the people of Alperkin notably seized on the opportunity presented by the conflict, using it as a pretext for expanding their religion, and the drug trade which supported it.

Allies and Partners

The Odiferae

The Odiferae is a confederacy of Alperkin tribes which rejects the legitimacy of the Alpazkigz government. In 38.90 PSSC the Odiferae entered into a de facto alliance with its longtime rival, in opposition to the foreign military forces engaged in the Haifan Civil War.

Progress of Conflict

Strait of Haifa Theater

Surrender of Abeis

The Bassarid annexation of Haifa was facilitated by the decision of Caputian government officials in Abeis who, recognizing that without the support of the government in Zalae they would be unable to defend their city from the chaos which now threatened the nation, chose to cede without contest the Haifan capital to the Haifo-Pallisican Imperial Trade Union. This decision played a central role in the decision by political leaders in Keybir-Aviv and Minab Azis to also cede their own authority to Bassarid control. Owing to the compliance of local authorities, the Keltian league, which represented the Bassarids, was able to quickly establish its presence in the region, even despite a minor uprising in the heart of the capital city. Operating out of Abeis and its neighbor cities, the Keltian League was able to effectively launch operations which aimed to establish control in the cities of Lewisburg and Tel-Amin, where anti-Bassarid radicals seized authority from the existing pro-Bassarid governments.

Abeisan Archipelago Blockade

The Abeisan Archipelago Blockade was the first formal military operation carried out by the Keltian League during the Haifan Civil War. This blockade sought to restrict the flow of goods and services to and from the waters of Lake Morovia, where the Greater Morovian Independence Initiative had secured a considerable presence. The establishment of the blockade resulted in the outbreak of the Uprising in Jezeraah.

Uprising in Jezeraah

In response to the imposition of the Abeisan Archipelago blockade by the New Zimian War League, the inhabitants of Jezeraah rose up in revolt against Bassarid occupying forces. This revolt in Jezeraah served to significantly hamper efforts by the War League to prevent the flow of goods and services to the Greater Morovian Independence Initiative.

Northern Lake Morovia Theater

The Noctic Economy Commission

The Noctic Economy Commission was an operation carried out by the Keltian League and its allies, which sought to eliminate Anti-Noctic League's monopoly control over the Noctic-Rabrev trade that had grown in recent years to permeate the entirety of Lake Morovia. In response to the establishment of the Commission, Anti-Noctic League operatives in the city of Vaeringheim deployed the use of "dirty" WM17 bombs, in an event known as the Gassing of Vaeringheim.

The Gassing of Vaeringheim

The Gassing of Vaeringheim was an act of terror carried out by operatives working on behalf of the Anti-Noctic League, in which a number of explosives containing an impure variant of the chemical weapon WM17 were set off in several key locations around Vaeringheim. The attack, which came in direct response to the establishment of the Noctic Economy Commission by the Keltian League, resulted in the deaths of dozens of civilians, and the hospitalization of several hundred more. The event marks the single largest usage of WM17 or its variants since the chemical weapon was deployed in Port St.Andre during the War of Lost Brothers. An investigation into the attack later revealed that the explosives containing WM17 were provided to the Anti-Noctic League by pro-Caputian paramilitary forces which maintain close connections to the now-dissolved Caputian government in Zalae.

The Great Gorge

The Great Gorge was a period of extreme religious and ethnic cleansing in the Alperkin, in which "nonkin" Neo-Patrovan immigrants to the region were targeted en masse by radical practitioners of the Alperkin religion. The Great Gorge immediately resulted in a mass emigration from the region, as the Neo-Patrovans, who had been settled in the region by the Caputian government, fled in terror for their lives. Reports of the Great Gorge caused consternation internationally and prompted debates in the Imperial Senate of Constancia over the provision of sanctuary for refugees and the potential to provide a contributory force to the Humanitarian Mission in former Caputia operating in and around Zalae.

Siege of Lewisburg

The Siege of Lewisburg was a military offensive spearheaded by the New Zimian War League, which sought to liberate the city from the control of anti-Bassarid forces formerly affiliated with the Order of Rochefort. The siege, which lasted for several weeks before culminating in the Battle of Lewisburg, resulted in the near-complete destruction of the city. Ultimately, anti-Bassarid forces were driven out as a result of the battle, and the ruined city came under the control of the New Zimian War League.

Southern Lake Morovia Theater

The Battle of Tel-Amin

Conflict Periphery

Gulf of Jangsong and the Virgin Islands

In order to prevent the spread of the Haifan Civil War to other theaters around Keltia, the Keltian League in 38.94 PSSC imposed naval blockades upon the Gulf of Jangsong, in order to prevent foreign goods and services from passing to the Greater Morovian Independence Initiative through the northern Strait of Haifa, and upon the Virgin Islands, in an effort aimed at preventing the flow of goods to and from anti-Bassarid military and paramilitary organizations in the major city-states of New Kirrie and Zalae.

Mass Arrests of ESB Group Officials

On 175/3/38 PSSC the Bassarid Council of Courts confirmed that it would authorize the New Zimian War League to oversee the arrest of all high ranking ESB Group officials found operating in Keltia. The decree resulted in the arrest of at least several hundred officials. Those arrested would face indefinite detention in secret prisons in Keltia and Eura.

Hoenn Blockade

The Hoenn Blockade was a naval blockade established in 39.00 PSSC, which served to limit the ability of Hoenn to support anti-Bassarid forces in mainland Keltia. The blockade of Hoenn marked the first ever expansive employment of the Bassarid-Alpha Space Fleet by the New Zimian War League. As a result of the blockade Hoenn was forced to suspend its support for the Humanitarian Mission, though it remained listed as a member of the organization.

In 39.02 PSSC the War League shot down a number of Hoennese aircraft which were attempting in vain to support the Palesmenian air force on a mission to deploy aid to the cities of Kedah and San Luis, marking the first military engagement between nations involved in the conflict. The Palesmenian forces were allowed to proceed unmolested; however, Hoenn retaliated by deploying F-8 Shrike fighter jets armed with air-to-surface munitions, as well as a regiment of flying majuu consisting of salamences, dragonites, charizards, and volcaronas, to hammer the blockade ships relentlessly over the following days.

Result and Aftermath

International Reactions

Humanitarian Mission in former Caputia

The Humanitarian Mission in former Caputia was an international coalition of nations which served to provide humanitarian relief to peoples affected by the collapse of the Caputian government, in regions outside of Haifa. In 38.98 PSSC the neutrality of the Humanitarian Mission was called into question by Bassarid officials as nations such as Hoenn and Constancia increasingly offered their support for the mission. These concerns were largely allayed through a process of rigorous, blunt negotiation between the leaders of the Humanitarian Mission and the Bassarid government.

Constancia

In 38.98 PSSC, the government of Constancia alleged, based on initial reports of the atrocities being committed in Haifa, that the Haifo-Pallisican government and the New Zimian War League were engaging in genocide across the entirety of Caputia and Wechua. On the basis of these reports, which seemingly conflated the Alperkin insurrectionists with the invading Bassarid forces entering Haifa, the Constancian government debated deploying a small expeditionary force to join the Humanitarian Mission in the Former Caputia. In response to these threats by the government of Constancia, the Greater Eurani Trade Association confirmed that it would increase exports from the Gulf of Aqaba.

Natopia

While it is the case that despite the claims of the government of Constancia and its allies, the Haifan Civil War did not extend into Wechua, the outbreak of the conflict nevertheless resulted in a mass evacuation of the Wechuan territory. Many Wechuan citizens who abandoned their homeland during the conflict attempted to re-settle in Natopia.

Los Liberados

The government República de Los Liberados provided financial support for the evacuation of Caputian citizens living in the province of San Pedro. Following the evacuation of San Pedro the region was re-settled by Bassarid citizens with the support of the San Pedro Re-Settlement Agency. By 39.00 PSSC the region had been re-settled by as many as 160,000 Bassarid citizens. Soon after its re-settlement by Bassarid citizens, the region of San Pedro was annexed by the Passasian Unincorporated Territory.