PAHINA - Pan-Himyari News Agency

[Azraq]

Birru strikes relaxed tone on Tephanon

Jugol, PAHINA - Mulatu Birru, the Azraqi foreign affairs minister, has angered Azraqi nationalists by suggesting Tephanon could remain under Pelasgian ownership and the issue of sovereignty could be decided by referendum.

Speaking to the Azraqi state broadcaster, Birru refused to confirm whether at the end of upcoming negotiations the islands would be returned to Azraq. "These are complex talks and we cannot guarantee the outcome," Birru, who is also the leader of the Shamo People's Liberation Front, said.

He later hinted a plebiscite could dictate what happened next. "The people of Tephanon need a say too... Whether that's a vote or something else I'm not sure," Birru continued.

Azraqi nationalists, led by the Party of Principles, Dawamalian Youth League and Party of the Future, were outraged. "For a minister of His Imperial Majesty's government to not commit to reclaiming the islands of Tephanon is the sign of a dangerous administration," warned new Principlist leader Cabdulmajiid Ismaacill Taifa.

The spat will likely put further pressure on Azraqi prime minister Hika Qiltu, who is with the Pelasgian head of government in the Federation of the Natal, to take a harder line on Tephanon.

The three countries have come together to discuss better cooperation among the sovereign states of Himyar. However, with Tephanon's future up for grabs after the end of the 150-year concession, some worry the summit by scuppered by historic rivalries. "Pan-Himyarism could be dead in the water," argues Azraqi geopolitical analyst Tawfiiq Suleymaan Cumar.

 

[Azraq]

H3 pledge greater cooperation and trade

Camp Hill, PAHINA - The so-called H3 economies of Azraq, Natalia and Pelasgia have promised to remove trade barriers, increase cultural exchange and improve diplomatic ties, although no firm commitments have been made, leaving some to question the future of pan-Himyarism.

The Camp Hill Declaration, named after the Natalian capital where the first summit between the H3 heads of government was held, does not enact any immediate changes. The document, which was less than 20 pages long, says the signatories will first "explore" opportunities for collaboration, before later potentially agreeing to tariff reductions, regular high level meetings and joint positions on global issues.

The text had been agreed weeks ago according to PAHINA sources but Azraq did not want anything published until the future of Tephanon was agreed on.

PAHINA sources also say the Azraqis, represented by recently elected Prime Minister Hika Qiltu, were an obstacle more generally. "Natalia wanted a more formal framework to govern Himyari relations while the Pelasgians were pushing hard for freer trade," explains one diplomat, "but the Azraqis wanted nothing tangible."

However, while the declaration may be a disappointment to some, optimists see cause for future cooperation, with Tephanon's future now decided, Gallo-Germania still reeling from war and isolationism gripping the East. "This a stepping stone towards a genuine pan-Himyarism," claims Natalian columnist Scott Bishop.

 

[Natal]

Pan-Cyanopian Demonstrations in Cabaon
Ajdir, PAHINA - At the call of Muhammad Tafari, one of the most influential chieftains of the Cabaonians that still live a nomadic, pastoral life, many of the people which are called "Desert Wanderes" by the Ajdir folk have come today in the capital city of the Protectorate to demand a unification with their brothers and sisters that like in the Azraqi Empire.

The Cabaonian people are a part of the general family of Cyanopian peoples, inhabiting north Eastern Himyar. Compared to their brothers to the east, in Azraq, they have been much more influenced by the Urudoah and have started to have slightly more distinct culture than the easterners, which have been integrated in the Azraqi Empire.

Since the late 18th century, Ajdir, the only major urban settlement in the country was occupied by the Caledonian White Army in a bid to defend the assets of the Caledonian Himyari Company in the region. Thus, the Protectorate of Cabaon was created. Its direct annexation has brought Caledonia into patting heads with Azraq during the 19th century.

Today, Cabaon has received home rule and is governed by a Tribal Assembly which officially represents all the people in the Protectorate, but its critics, in front with Muhammad Tafari have condemned the institution for being corrupt and serving only Caledonian and non-Muslim interests. The calls for full independence made both by Tafari and by Fela Kazi have fallen on death ears, as many see the protectorate as falling apart if not being disbanded as a state should it become free.

After the phosphate mining was shut down in 1987, Cabaon's economy has slumped, prompting a huge recession, its GDP being reduced by as much as 40% and with a huge emigration from the region. Eastern immigrants, which have come to work in the mines have either left to return back to Toyou, or moved to Loago, Germania or Caledonia, and many of the natives, which were moved into company towns have returned to their semi-nomadic pastoral life. This left Cabaon with only around 2 million citizens from a peak of nearly 5 million, with many deserted ghost towns and an economy that is now centred only on the re-imagining of Ajdir as a gambling resort town and a financial tax haven.

Cabaon is dependent on the Obsidian Union Solidarity Aid Program, which is around 150 billion Tasdain per year, making it the biggest aid program in the world. This hasn't yet stopped Pan-Cyanopians like Fela Kazi and Muhammat Tafari to campaign for a unification with the Azraqi Empire, but many in the Protectorate see their ideas just as a romanticised national ideal with no basis in reality.

 

[Azraq]

Wasaarada Arimaha Dibada
الخارجية‎ وزارة
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Azraqi Empire does not wish to embolden any fantasists so let us be clear: we have no designs on the territory of Cabaon and certainly no desire to recreate ancient polities. While we believe Himyar should be for the Himyari that is a decision for the native peoples of Cabaon to make, not us.

 

[Elben]

Volunteers continue to stream into Loago

Maseru, PAHINA - Observers in Maseru have reported large cargo aircraft have been flying into the airport in recent days. According to sources at the airport, passengers disembarking are Elbener volunteers and the cargo aboard is all manner of gear for combat as well as medical supplies for the Elbener Brigade and the larger Caledonian force to which it is attached. The size of the brigade from Elben continues to grow as fighting escalates in Loago and the LLC reportedly is preparing to set up its own state in communist controlled territory.

Little effort is made to hide the continued recruiting for the brigade in Elben. Once they have signed up, volunteers are sent through a quick familiarization course for life in the south and then sent on their way to join their comrades. Sources in Elben indicate that interest in joining up continues to be high due to propaganda efforts on the part of the Tiburan Catholic Church and Elben's government centering around the Elbener family that died this last summer in Loago. The propaganda effort has also benefited from the return home of early volunteers who allege to have seen LLC atrocities.

 

[Entre Rios]

Seathan Forsaidh discloses situation in Cabaon

Ajdir, PAHINA - Seathan Forsaidh, the ex-leader of the SDC who defected to Kadikistan with many of the secrets of the Caledonian intelligence services, has done the second disclosure from the series he promised. While in the first one he stated that the PACFOR mission was organised in such a way that their real mission is to set up a satellite government to Caledonia which will keep Loago as a subject state to the northern state, the second one attacks the Caledonian policy in Cabaon.

The North Himyari territory that makes today's Cabaon has been under Caledonian administration since the late 19th century. While the Caledonians have developed phosphate mining in the territory, the territory has started to prosper but by 1979, the phosphates have ran out and the mines closed off, beginning one of the biggest emigration crises in the history of Europe. From a population that was 5.5 million at its peak, Cabaon now barely has over 2 million people, leaving many settlements fully empty. The territory now boasts the highest number of ghost towns per capita in Europe.

To combat the emigration and the continuous diminishing of the quality of life in the territory, Caledonia has set up the Cabaonian Aid Program, which is also now seen as the biggest aid program in Europe. Cabaon was granted in 1992 home rule and the Tribal Assembly was set up as its legislative.

Seathan Forsaidh condemns in the new disclosure the way the Caledonian authorities have set up a form of captive people who weren't given the chance to set up an independent nation and are dependent on the Aid program to keep the menial institutions that the Caledonian state has created to mimic home rule alive, so that the territory won't fall into anarchy and chaos.

Forsaidh has condemned the Premier of Cabaon, Asaru Toure, who is holding a position to which he was appointed by the Caledonian state, rather than the legislative, for bribing many of the members of the Tribal Assembly for voting against many propositions for independence or even further autonomy and for creating an environment of intimidation and insecurity where only dis acquaintances manage to enjoy the full boons of a fully functioning state such as education, healthcare and security. The continuous fall of the quality of the services offered by the state pushes more than 1.5 million people to like outside its institutions in ways that resemble the middle ages more than the 21st century.

 

[Azraq]

Wasaarada Arimaha Dibada
الخارجية‎ وزارة
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

While the Azraqi Empire is not inclined to trust the words of traitors, if the reports around Caledonian interference in the domestic politics of Cabaon are true, then the actions of the Caledonian government are deeply offensive to the aspirations of Himyar to be self-ruling as a continent.

The Caledonian ambassador in Jugol has been summoned for an explanation.

 

[Entre Rios]

Violence erupts across the Kaskazi River

Maseru, PAHINA - In the last two days, intense firefights have been reported along the Kaskazi River in northern Loago, between the Mai Mai, the armed forces of the Fante Tribal Union, under the command of Cornelius Holden Ndjobe and the People's Liberation Army, the armed forces of the PFLL, under the command of Masimba.

The violence has erupted after a period of peace in the Fante highlands, where it was expected that the region will be spared by the fights in the bush war, as in the early stages of the conflict, it seemed that the Fante were keeping themselves away from it and making the civil war be a Wala and colonial affair.

The head of the Fante Tribal Union, Chief Ndidi Obey has no officially commented yet on the new development, but he has been known for being hostile to Masimba and the League of Communists but also against the Maseru regime. His movement originated as the Fante Nation, a group that fought for the autonomy of the Fante owned lands in the 1954-1957 disruptions and has since been ambivalent towards Maseru rule but overly hostile to the Wala. The conflict between the two might also be religiously motivated, as the Fante are Muslims, while the Wala are mostly Catholic, as they were much more under the Caledonian influence emanating from the Limestone Coast.

Some conspiracy theorists have dubbed this new wave of violence in Loago as "Operation Eileen" as they heard the aforementioned name repeated three times on a short wave numbers station believed to be of Natalian origin. Even so, the Natalian Minister Plenipotentiary, Mr. John Actor, who heads the Federation's permanent mission in Bulawayo and is now in the process of opening another one in Maseru has stated that he doesn't know of any Operation Eileen and that Natalia has offered the Fante humanitarian aid, mostly food stuff and medicine, as the war in the central lowlands has affected the harvests and a famine might be imminent without international aid.

Attacks have been concentrated on three main points, one group crossing the Kaskazi at Lai, entering the Kati Plain and facing stiff resistance from the People's Liberation Army around the Central Lakes, one in Bulawayo and a third one at Ndala, right at the estuary of the river. It is believe that the third one be the hardest operation for the Mai Mai to cross the river as Ndala was heavily fortified by the League of Communists and the river is extremely hard to cross.

The Maseru government has tried to organise a series of raids deep inside the PFLL dominated territory, with attacks in Musedi and Koro Toro, but the attacks from the north, linked with the raids from the south and the reopening of the diplomatic mission of Natalia in Maseru might represent the first steps towards the creation of a united front of the National Unity Government and the Fante Tribal Union to fight the League of Communists dominated PFLL (People's Front for the Liberation of Loago).

 

[Azraq]

Wasaarada Arimaha Dibada
الخارجية‎ وزارة
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Azraqi Empire invites all the parties in Loagan civil war to Jugol for mediating talks with a view to forming a genuine National Unity Government free of colonial influence.

As fellow Himyaris we are more than willing to replace the Caledonian peacekeepers with our own forces should the people of Loago wish so.

 

[Azraq]

Azraq "able and willing" to deploy peacekeepers to Loago

Jugol, PAHINA - The Azraqi Empire is amassing thousands of troops near the border with Loago the Azraqi government confirmed today, as the northeastern Himyari nation looks to intervene in its neighbour's increasingly bloody civil war.

Azraqi Prime Minister Hika Qiltu told parliament his government was "more than willing and able" to take over from Caledonian peacekeepers set to leave Loago after Caledonian politicians voted to withdraw forces from their former colony.

Qiltu attributed the withdrawal to Azraqi threats to close the Pillars of Nearchus to Caledonian naval traffic unless the Scanian country ended its peacekeeping mission, which were backed up by Pelasgian and Natalian promises to close the Wadjet Sea and Northcott Channel respectively as well. "By acting in solidarity, the three leading powers of Himyar were able to put a stop to neo-colonialism disguised as humanitarianism," the Azraqi premier declared.

"Azraq will not stand by and watch Loago descend into worse violence and bloodshed," Qiltu continued, promising to replace Caledonian forces, which are supported by Elbener volunteers, like-for-like in number.

No timetable has been given by the Caledonian government for withdrawal from Loago yet however and it is unknown whether the Elbener fighters will be joining them. The Azraqi government has given timings for the state of military operations either, although in previous statements has hinted it would await a formal invitation from the Loagan National Unity Government before intervening.

However with the Loagan League of Communists threatening the Fante tribal militia, which like the Azraqis are predominantly Muslim, in northern Loago, some are predicting Azraq will act sooner. "The Azraqi establishment will not allow Reds so close to its borders," says Loagan columnist Zakia Nyo.

 

[Entre Rios]

Loagan Bush War Updates - Fights on the Kaskazi and the Maisha

Maseru, PAHINA - A violent week concludes in Loago, where fights have taken place both in the Wala Highlands, where the PFLL tries to smash the resistance of the Maseru Government and penetrate in the Limestone Coast, but also on the Kaskazi River, where the Mai Mai, the armed wing of the Fante Tribal Union has opened a second front in the fights against the communist proclaimed Democratic Republic.

In the north, the Kaskazi river has run red at the beginning of the week as the Mai Mai started bombing with mortars positions of the People's Liberation Army and has attempted to cross the huge river in three main points. In Lai, light cavalry units using technicals and Natalian imported Eland armoured cars have managed to cross the river under the cover of a mortar barrage. The Mai Mai units there haven't started yet any sort of offensive, but have raided PLA bases, using hit and run tactics. The main push was in Bulawayo, as the Mai Mai have managed to take control of the south side of the city, but couldn't get out of it, as a strong LLC counterattack, believed to be headed by Masimba himself are keeping them under pressure. The last point of Mai Mai crossing was in Ndala, but by now it can be described as a failure as the port town has been extremely well fortified and the huge estuary of the Kaskazi has made the crossing extremely treacherous. The League of Communists have stated that they have destroyed more than 20 Mai Mai technicals, Elands and even 5 Ratels as they tried to cross.

In the south, the PFLL is continuing its offensive, trying to secure their right flank before trying to penetrate into the Limestone Coast. A column of PLA soldiers led by Commander Christoph, an Eiffellandian born leader of the LLC has led an attack along the Maisha River, avoiding the settlements of Dori and Bagre, with their main goal being the town of Mutombo, deep in the Kusini Mountains. By the end of the week, the Security Forces have stated that not only did they manage to stop the communist offensive in the mountains, but a spokesperson of the Maseru Government has stated that Commander Christoph has been captured and is currently in custody.

In Maseru, the Caledonian Saltire has been lowered, as the PACFOR soldiers have started their retreat back to Caledonia. Mosi Kamara, the PM of Loago has stated that should some of the Elbeners still want to fight for Loago, they can always volunteer and join the Security Forces, but they will be under Loagan officers and under the green-black-green banner of Loago.

 

[Elben]

Volunteers in Loago ready to go home

Maseru, PAHINA - More and more volunteers of the Elbener Brigade in Loago have chosen to return home rather than reenlist as their terms of service come to an end. This, combined with the flow of new volunteers slowing has led many observers to conclude the presence of the Brigade as an official unit is coming to an end.

One senior commander, identifying himself only as "Hans", told PAHINA that he spoke for many in losing faith in the mission. "The commies have joined that popular front which is getting support from all kinds of non-commies. A lot of my fellows are asking who are we fighting anymore?" Hans said he already had his tickets ready and was prepared to go home at the end of the month.

The newest volunteers, seeing the state of the brigade upon their arrival, have been turning around for home. Others have signed up with Loagoan security forces along with many of the hardcore volunteers, many of whom see themselves as army lifers with no place back in Elben's society. Said one man who refused to give a name, "Once the bush gets in your blood, the North is just too cold, you know?"

 

[Azraq]

Wasaarada Arimaha Dibada
الخارجية‎ وزارة
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The withdrawal of armed Elbener volunteers from Loago is a positive step forward for the country and Himyar more widely. We applaud those who have made the wise decision to head home.

 

[Rheinbund]

Aussenministerium
Trier, Eiffelland-Retalien

We want to emphasise that Commander Christoph, who is assumed to be of Eiffellandian descent, is fighting in Loago on his own initiative and on behalf of the LLC, not on behalf of the Union State of Eiffelland-Retalia. All his actions in Loago are his own responsibility and the responsibility of the LLC. Eiffelland-Retalia does not have any formal connections with the LLC. If Commander Christoph is a citizen of Eiffelland-Retalia, he has become guilty of high-treason under Eiffelloretalian law for serving in an army or militia of a foreign entity without explicit approval from the Government of Eiffelland-Retalia.

Julia Leverkühn, Minister of Foreign Affairs

 

[Gunnland]

Anticipated Summit Meeting Between Port Stanley, Azraq PMs Approaches

Chinde, PAHINA - Prime Minister Hika Qiltu of the Azraqi Empire is scheduled to visit Port Stanley next week for high-level talks with newly elected Prime Minister Octavia Butler. The United Development Party has called the event a "symbolic opportunity" to show the world "the face of an inclusive, forward-looking commonwealth."

These are the first talks between the Azraqi and Stanlean leaders in recent memory. The two countries technically border one another, though the population of Port Stanley is highly concentrated in the two southern cities of Chinde and Oriel, and the country has a history of colonialism that makes it culturally more similar to Loago and the ETS Ottalina Sovereignty.

Unlike Azraq, which has taken a lead in pan-Himyari politics, Port Stanley has been something of an international pariah. But changes have come quickly. First, it came under the rule of Queen Julian of Gunnland when the Duchy of Lower Marpesia was inherited and reabsorbed by the Gunnish royal family. Then, the death of Prime Minister Ian B. Smith in October created an opening for the surprise election of Octavia Butler, a Nethian Muslim woman who has expressed admiration for the ETCOS icon Mathelda Ajogo. Butler is a member of the Mafewo-Fante people that make up a majority of Port Stanley's small population, and trace their history to migrations some 600 years ago.

The two prime ministers are expected to talk about political changes in Loago and Port Stanley, as well as the regional threat posed by the insurgent League of Loagin Communists, which operates in the remote north of Port Stanley.

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Flag of Port Stanley

 

[Gunnland]

Minister Resigns On Eve of Azraq Summit; Is Stanlean Cabinet In Chaos?

Chinde, PAHINA - Oritsematosan Udomo, who was only named Minister of Foreign Affairs last week, abruptly resigned her post yesterday. The little-known congresswoman from Fort Smith had no diplomatic experience. Ms. Udomo issued a terse statement that she was pursuing an educational opportunity to take a university scholarship in Gunnland.

The resignation comes only days before Prime Minister Butler hosts Prime Minister Hika Qiltu of the Azraqi Empire for a summit meeting in Chinde. There is some speculation that tribal tensions have flared up in the United Development Party-led cabinet.

Prime Minister Butler downplayed these rumors, simply stating: "I support Ms. Udomo in whatever she decides to do." She immediately named popular novelist Elizabeth Engelsh "E.E." Taylor, who is affiliated with a moderate wing of the Commonwealth League, to be Ms. Udomo's replacement.

Critics point out that the resignation of Ms. Udomo brings the number of Black Nethians down to three. Equal to the number of whites, each total 1/3 of the cabinet. "What can we expect but a continuation of white-rule Commonwealth League policies?" asked Lawrence Perry, the spokesman for the Popular Front. Two Urodoah and one Jew comprise the remaining three members of the cabinet.

 

[Azraq]

Azraq and Natalia launch air strikes across Loago

Maseru, PAHINA - The Loagan civil war moved up a level after the Azraqi Empire and United Provinces of Natalia launched a series of airstrikes across the troubled Himyari country.

Targeting the League of Loagan Communists in Loago's northern and central regions, both governments justified the attacks on national security grounds, suggesting the LLC was cooperating domestic left-wing "terrorist" groups such as the Rinocerontes.

The move puts Azraq and Natalia at odds with Pelasgia, which has recognised the rival regime set up by the LLC and its allies and is challenging the national unity government in Maseru.

Since the withdrawal of Caledonian peacekeepers and Elbener volunteers, Natalia has deployed forces to Loago and Azraq is rumoured to be planning expanding its involvement to boots on the ground as well as looking to tackle the RANU-PF in Port Stanley too.

Defence analysts suggest the air strikes in themselves will not dramatically alter the balance of power in Loago with the LLC controlling swathes of remote difficult-to-reclaim rural territory. Yet they have likely limited the offensive capabilities of the LLC, easing pressure on the NUG and Fante tribal militias.

While Pelasgia, Azraq and Natalia all have competing interests in Loago, regional diplomats downplay the chance of conflict between the three. "Noone wants to be the next Gallo-Germania," says one.

 

[Azraq]

Azraq pledges military support for Port Stanley

Chinde, PAHINA - Azraqi Prime Minister Hika Qiltu has promised military assistance to the government of Port Stanley to help the ex-Marpesian colony in its struggle against communist rebels, just days after Azraq launched air strikes against Loago also targeting left-wing insurgents there.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Stanlean Prime Minister Octavia Butler, Qiltu pledged Azraqi advisors and trainers as well as subsidised equipment but didn't rule out boots on the ground in the future.

"Port Stanley's future is our future and it is our duty to help our Himyari brothers and sisters as they escape colonialism and the challenges that inevitably brings," the Azraqi premier declared, tying the aid into a wider pan-Himyari foreign policy.

However the move is likely to provoke disquiet at home, with Qiltu's coalition partners the Shamo People's Liberation Front, which has historic links to many of Himyar's guerilla groups, and the Movement for the Poor and Dispossessed, both criticising what they see as militaristic adventurism. The SPLF is also increasingly angry at what it sees as the sidelining of its leader Mulatu Birru, who is also the Azraqi foreign minister. "There is only so much disrespect we can take," says one SPLF lawmaker.

Allies of Qiltui say this is the price to pay to get the government's domestic reform agenda through. "If we were seen as being soft on communism the Emperor would never forgive us," says a Justice Party politician, the same party as the Azraqi PM.

In addition to the military support, both leaders also agreed to improve commercial and cultural ties, by increasing trade, investment and educational exchange.

 

[Entre Rios]

Loagan Bush War Updates - Breakthrough at Luboya

Maseru, PAHINA - A very active week ends in Loago as some of the biggest territorial changes of the last few months have taken place. The entrance of the 999th Armoured Brigade into the battle at Luboya has tipped the balance in favour of the Security Forces and the Natalian Expeditionary Corps.

Under a continuous bombardment by multiple rocket artillery, mortars and aerial strikes rolling in front of them, the Elephant Mk.3 tanks of the CENa, together with the Cruaidh tanks (Caledonian and Ivernian made after Kadikistani T-55 licence) of the Security Forces have managed to overwhelm the defences of the People's Liberation Army around Luboya and break into the Wala Highlands.

The victory at Luboya was been seen as a costly one, with the allied forces having a total of over 300 casualties and losing 5 Cruaidh and 3 Elephant tanks, 20 APCs and 14 Infantry Fighting Vehicles and 5 helicopters, while it is estimated by the NUG that the LLC has had a total of 1,100 casualties and lost 35 APCs and about 50 technicals.

As the news of the victory have spread out, new offensives have started along the Buruburu and the Kaskazi Rivers as the government and the Fante Tribal Union and its military wing, the Mai Mai try to capitalise on the victory to push back the communists.

The LLC has begun too its own offensive, which many in Maseru have simply called it diversionary one, as the soldiers stationed in the Kasoko Depression have started attacking the Kusini Mountains. The government has announced a retreat from the Maisha Valley as per to avoid an encirclement in the region and to better reinforce a defensive line in the Tembo Highlands. Many critics of Mosi Kamara, the head of the NUG have stated that with this, he is literally surrendering the Kusini to the communists.

 

[Entre Rios]

Ahmari Forces enter Ajdir - Hamza Alin leaves the country

Ajdir, PAHINA - The Ahmari forces led by the Sheikh Fela Kazi have entered Ajdir this morning, nearly two months after the failed assassination attempt on the life of the Sheikh, allegedly orchestrated by Hamza Alin. The guerrilla soldiers, supported by four of the six tribes of Cabaon have entered the capital city aboard one of the iron ore trains that link the inland mines to the coast. The last two tribes have pledged their allegiance to Fela Kazi after it was clear that Hamza Alin has left the country.

Cabaon is a state in Northern Himyar inhabited by Cyanopian and Urudoan peoples. It was colonised by Caledonia in the 19th century and has an extremely volatile demographic. At the heyday of the phosphate mining, many people from Himyar and Toyou have migrated to Cabaon, bringing the country's total population to nearly 6 million, but as the phosphate deposits depleted and the economy crashed, effectively all immigrants have left the country, leaving it with only 2 million people, most of them nomads, roaming the desert, and a small Caledonian community in Ajdir.

Since the crash of the mining economy in 1986, the Cabaonian people were dependent of the Caledonian Aid Program which poured billions of Caledonian Tasdain into it. Since then, the Cabaonian economy managed to stabilise and even started to reinvigorate as iron ore deposits were discovered and a program started to make Cabaon in general and Ajdir in particular a tax haven for the rich of Europe.

In the chaos of the fast decolonisation ordered by Toiseach Olibhia MacAnndra, The Lord Governor of Cabaon, Uisdean MacEalar, was supposed to surrender the administrative, legislative and military powers in Cabaon to the main leader of the struggle for independence, the Sheikh Fela Kazi, but he was pushed into hiding in the aftermath of a failed attempt on his life. His escape from Ajdir has been linked by many of his supporters as being similar to the Hegira of the Prophet Muhammad.

One of the main Sheikhs remaining in the capital, Hamza Alin, whom has been accused of plotting the assassination attempt and the take over, proclaims the creation of a transitional government under his rule and calls the tribal council to elect him as Mai, a Cabaonian title very similar to an Emir, but the lack of unanimity in the council brings the whole inauguration process to a halt.

Last month, with the support of four other tribes, Fela Kazi declares the creation of NDFLC, the National Democratic Front for the Liberation of Cabaon, which were more widely known as the Ahmari, or the Reds, because of their flags. He marches triumphantly into Baki, gaining many supporters along the way and after a series of failed governmental counter-attacks against his positions, he begins a long march to the Iron Ore Railway line, which is owned by a subsidiary of the CHC.

Fela Kazi and his movement have enjoyed the support of the Federation of Natal, after it was discovered that Hamza Alin and his government had links with rebel groups in Loago, especially the League of Communists and the Rhinos.

Lacking in internal strength to defeat the Ahmari, Alin and has called in support from Loago and a few days ago it has been reported that in the battle of the Bardai Oasis, situated in the centre of the nation, the Ahmari, with aerial support of the NAAF, the Natalian Air Force have managed to destroy a tent city which was used as a rally point for a common Alin-LLC-Rhino military force. The Ahmari have immediately capitalised on their victory, boarding one of the iron ore trains and entering triumphantly into Ajdir, meeting very little resistance.

Following historical tradition of the Mai addressing the population from the main balcony of the Qasbah of Ajdir, Fela Kazi has declared victory in the war of liberation in front of the cameras and the citizens rallied in the city. He has promised that an era of peace and stability in Cabaon is ensuing and that finally, after 200 years of colonial rule, the western Cyanopians can finally declare themselves a free people. The whereabouts of Sheikh Hamza Alin are as of yet unknown, but he has been suspected of finding refuge in Eastern Occitania.