New Verham

[Rogue]

Restorationists unite, Vanukeans entrench

August 5699

Chukyo - After months of heavy fighting, foreign intervention and a breakdown of state control, the battle lines within the civil war that is gripping our nation have been clearly drawn. While initially New Verham was facing a conflict of chaos, with hundreds of militia's springing up through the country, the last few days have proven to be consequential as several clear power blocs are emerging. 

Following the Egelian intervention in the war tides have shifted away from forces loyal to the old regime, with countless of loyalist military units being forced to surrender or compltely annihilated after a concentrated air campaign and pressure from Panmuan militia's. Egelion's takeover of the Chukyo International Airport helped the country in establishing a physical presence, pushing loyalist forces largely out of the capital. What is now left is a city divided into several zones, with the airport and its direct vicinity under control of Egelian forces, while other city districts are in the hands of militia's all oppossed to the Gaoist regime.
 
One of the strongest militia's in the city, Shine üür, has joined the newly created "Movement of Verhamese Restoration", simply nicknamed the "Restorationists" by forces on the ground. This new patchwork of allied militia's is led by former army general Bor Khasar, who commanded several defected army units and took over the coastal town of Nomraat before convincing several bordering militia's to join his cause. Khasar is pushing for the reformation of the former Republic of New Verham, seeking to cast away the shadow of the Gaoist regime and instead create a stable, democratic but capable republic no longer guided by Gaoist principle. His movement has gained ground in recent weeks, largely aided by Egelian air support and missile strikes. With the disintergration of large portions of the military, his forces managed to push along the coast, now holding at least 2/3rds of coastal regions and preparing a push towards the capital. With Shine üür joining the new movement, it has already gained a foothold in the city, likely to be expanded if international pressure on loyalists and their alligned forces continues. 

Meanwhile little has happened in Ostlander areas, with the newly reformed Ostland National Bloc having consolidated its hold on its territories and life in the area largely resuming as normal. Little to no fighting has been reported and the Ostlander regions are now being used by a variety of aid organization in providing aid to the rest of the country. Within the Vanukean majority areas the story is somewhat similar. Last week, the People's Defense Front (the military wing of the Vanukean community) launched a operation to mop up remaining loyalist pockets within their territory, resulting in some heavy fighting that lasted for days. Several were killed, but loyalist forces in the form of the 2nd infantry brigade were eventually forced to surrender. Vanukean forces have also moved to secure the border with Bianji, capturing the Makbiraa border crossing two days ago and announcing the closure of the border, seeking to prevent illegal goods from entering their territory.

As the fighting rages on, the Verhamese people are stuck in between. Humanitarian aid from Nadiya and the Red Cross have softened the worst suffering. Reports have reached us of loyalist forces mistreating civilians and preparing a offensive to retake the capital. At least 6 million residents in Chukyo have failed to leave the city so far, with a total of 1 million having left in the last few weeks. If a offensive is planned and executed, observers estimate that the toll on the civilian population will reach levels not seen in the conflict so far. Other forces, like the Mu-Tze League for Democracy, have started to disintergrate and fight amongst themselves, using the civilian population as a shield in their internal rivalries. 

Ukhuulakh Khuudas is a underground newspaper launched following the breakdown of the Gaoic regime. It is distributed nationwide through a variety of black market vendors