2010 invasion of Malawan
From WikiStates
| 2010 invasion of Malawan | |||||||
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| Part of the War on Terror | |||||||
 Convoy of the Garmidian 11th Marine Armored Battalion moves through northern Malawan during the opening stages of the ground invasion |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
ORNA: Garmidia |
Government and insurgent groups: MalawanThe Brigade |
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| Commanders | |||||||
| Sam Philips
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Akman Aswan Brigade: Qasim Rami, others |
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| Strength | |||||||
| At least 700,000 ground troops[1] | Between 190,000 - 240,000 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 412 ground troops | At least 12,000 ground troops | ||||||
The 2010 invasion of Malawan, codenamed Operation Decisive Fire[1], (February 6, 2010 - 15 February, 2010) refers to the Garmidia-led ORNA ground invasion and air campaign in Malawan. The air campaign targeted insurgent positions, anti air systems, infrastructural assets and engaged in air-to-air combat that began in response to the Monday plane attacks on December 28, 2009 in Garmidia. Sierra Apathia, a principal ally and United Anacreon provided the second and third largest contingents of aircraft and ground troops available, respectively. The conflict also began because of Malawan's harboring of The Brigade terrorists, and a number of other anti-terror issues that existed before the conflict began.
The bombing campaign began early in the morning on 6 February, and Sam Philips, President of Garmidia, addressed Garmidia and it's allies at 10:00 a.m. via a TV broadcast announcing that all options had been exhausted and that the bombing had begun.[1] Shortly after bombing began, massive anti-war protests erupted around the country, and the official approval rating for Philips dropped to 31%[1], due to this being the 5th conflict that he has involved Garmidia in. It is also believed his international image dropped sharply due to the invasion, however he remains popular within the government of Sierra Apathia, United Anacreon and other ORNA allies. Thousands of people protested against the war both before and during the ground invasion. Hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Dastin City in one of the largest anti-war protests in modern Garmidian times.
On 7 and 8 January, massive air campaigns took place, with more than 1,000 bombs being dropped on 7 January[1], and more than 1,200 bombs being dropped on 8 January. On the 8th, several non-nuclear decapitation strikes took place. The ground invasion began at rougly 6:10 a.m. Malawan time on 10 February 2010.[1] Coalition forces invaded from the north and south, and continued an air offensive during the ground invasion, it was large but not as big as the initial air campaign. The ground invasion targeted the strategic cities of Ilyas and Al-Dersheer, both of which fell into allied hands on 10 and 11 February, respectively. Smaller towns and cities were also captured, and were the sites of prolonged air attacks during the ground campaign.
Sam Philips and Jim Stone declared the invasion complete after Teonas, the capital of Malawan, fell into coalition hands late into the 15th of February.
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Prelude and Casus belli for war
Tensions between coalition forces and Malawan had been mounting for a few years, especially since the Indochina War began in 2005. Relations were de facto non-existent, though some level of diplomatic connection was retained. Malawan had joined nations in condemning the May 10 attacks on Garmidia. Following the Monday plane attacks, and The Brigade connection to Malawan, tensions reached all time highs. Malawan was accused of harboring Brigade training camps, and possibly harboring Qasim Rami himself.
Greenborne controversy
In January, a month before the invasion began, a memo from Sam Philips to Gerald Don (President and Vice President of Garmidia, respectively) was reported by the media. The note contained the following memo:
| “ | Malawan is to be hit. No diplomatic hope. February - invasion. | ” |
The note was written at the Greenborne Lodge in Portan City in Garmidia, and thus became known as the Greenborne note or Greenborne controversy. It apparently showed that Philips had made his decision to invade only a few days after the Monday plane attacks, and that he would not choose diplomacy as an option, which he denies.
Timeline
6 January: Initial air attack
The assault began at about 2:20 a.m. Garmidia time when the three nation coalition began flying sorties over Malawanian airspace. First targeted were rural areas and camps alleged to have been housing The Brigade training camps and other facilities. A large ammo depot was destroyed in the opening salvo.
Although Sierra Apathia was notified of the air campaign, most of the air force designated to Malawan did not arrive in Malawan even after the assault began. Nevertheless, unprepared but fully-equipped, several squadrons from the aircraft carrier SAS Delacruise and its smaller partner, SAS Franklin were sent to start the bombing. Before most of the bombing began however, Sierra Apathia had already began sorties together with the coalition.
A large compound in the heart of Teonas was destroyed, as well maritime bases and other military capable areas. A gun battle was reported in the eastern areas of Malawan, this is believed to be between anti-Malawan government forces and the government of Malawan.
| "Fellow Garmidians and those around the world. Two months ago, we were horrendously attacked by terrorists harbored by Malawan. Over 3,000 people were killed. Innocent people. Now, as we speak, and on my orders, our enemies will feel our power and will tremble at the sight of justice for the killing of those innocent people." | |
| — Sam Philips, President of Garmidia as he addressed the world on the bombing of Malawan, 6 January 2010 | |
Apathian jets destroyed a large government building in the eastern country, which was believed to have been housing thousands of guns and ammunition clips. It was also believed to be a communication point for The Brigade and housed important data useful for Brigade and Malawanian forces. Cluster bombing by Apathian and Garmidian forces began late in the day and major Malawanian defenses were destroyed because of the cluster bombing. The Malawanian forces were heavily inexperienced and ill-equipped for a battle against superior firepower. Front lines were bombed with AC-130 Gunships and other aircraft. Most of the SAM equipment Malawan had been provided with in the late 80s, notably by the Soviet Union, were destroyed in the opening salvo of the attack.
The large Naval coalition presence also provided cruise missile capability to the coalition. Naval sorties were launched into buildings in Teonas, similar in tactics to the invasion of Meqchistan in 2009. Naval superiority was quickly established.
By the end of the day, the air campaign for the first day had largely ceased.
7 January: Renewed air offensive
In the early hours of January 7, the coalition launched a second, major air campaign targeting Malawanian ground forces, rather than targeting air defenses around the country. A large outpost, which had failed to hide or conceal tanks and other ground equipment, was first targeted by coalition air forces in the early hours of January 7.
Through out the morning and afternoon, Teonas was again the main target of renewed air offensives. 13 civilians were killed when a bomb landed near a bank building at around 11:00 a.m. Malawan time. Several bases containing ground equipment were reportedly destroyed by coalition aircraft. Naval sorties were also increased, and a dogfight between remaining jets of the Malawanian air force and the coalition air force erupted, with a victory for the coalition. The Malawanian Presidential Residence was hit several times by naval sorties and air sorties throughout the day, as well as other important government buildings. More alleged Brigade training camps were hit by air strikes. The Port of Teonas was rendered unusable when it was completely bombed by coalition aircraft.
According to reporters on the scene, the bombing on day 2 was relentless. Malawanian tanks had taken up positions on major highways because they were expecting a simultaneous land invasion, however the land invasion had not begun and they were destroyed. Some roads and airports were destroyed. A suburban house was also hit by a bomb, luckily no-one was inside. It did, however, cause extensive fire damage to houses around the area. A bomb destroyed a supermarket as well.
At around 11:00 p.m., several air strikes against three major oil refineries in the country were reported. The Navy also bombed and took control of several offshore sea platforms at night, crippling the countries oil supply. Gas refineries were also targeted. Supply lines in and out of Malawan were target by carpet bombs on the 7th. At least 4 ORNA aircraft were shot down over Malawan by SAM and SCUD missiles on 7 January.
8 January: Decapitation strikes
ORNA launched 20 non-nuclear decapitation strikes against 15 top Malawanian government officials on January 8, reportedly killing 11 of them, including the Minister of Defense, the Minister of Immigration, the Minister of Transportation and the Minister of Domestic Affairs. Strikes were also targeted for the President, Akman Aswan, however he was reportedly not killed. Early in the morning, a rain of carpet bombs struck suspected hideout places of top government officials, none were killed.
At around 12:00 p.m. in the afternoon, another 9 decapitation strikes struck the houses and hideout areas of the top military generals in Malawan. 4 were killed. At around the same time, a massive air campaign involving 200 jet aircraft struck 72 targets in the span of 2 minutes and 20 seconds. The campaign destroyed more suspected hideout areas and Brigade training camps.
The cities of Yaman and Zuran were hit several times by bombs, destroying houses suspected of having Brigade insurgents in them, or weaponry for later use against ORNA forces. Other ammo depots, important infrastructure assets and oil production facilities were targeted on the 8th.
9 January: Hunt for the Brigade
On 9 January, the air campaign shifted focus to the mountainous regions of Malawan in the hunt for the Brigade. 209 air strikes were reported on the mountainous villages and areas presumed to be Brigade training camps. Although those areas were targeted, Teonas was still heavily bombed, as was Karin, the second largest city in Malawan.
Four coalition aircraft were shot out of the skies by RPG fire and SAM defense systems. Military factories were bombed by the coalition, as were more oil refineries. More communications were knocked out by coalition air craft late in the day, and more airstrips used by the Malawanian Air Force were targeted and destroyed. Teonas' only international airport was hit by 7 laser-guided munitions on the 9th.
Ground invasion
The ground invasion began on 10 February, at around 6:00 a.m., when ground combat was reported in the southern area of Malawan. It was confirmed by military leaders and the President of Garmidia that ground operations had begun. Philips addressed the nation at 11:00 a.m., creating a huge media event in Garmidia and other allied nations.
The attack began from the north and the south of the country, taking much of the already demoralized and ill-equipped Malawanian air force by surprise. Malawan had believed the assault would take place from the south, where there is much more sea access and is easier to effectively conduct a military invasion. Assault from the south did take place, however the heavier concentration of troops were in the north.
Opening attack: Assault on Ilyas
Garmidian and Sierra Apathian forces launched their invasion first beginning from the north, assaulting the city of Ilyas in northern Malawan. The Apathian troops, whom came late even after the Garmidian troops mobilized, arrived at 4 in the afternoon, and encountered heavy resistance as they dropped via HALO jumps in the outskirts of Ilyas.
Being the first Apathian troops to enter Malawan; the Apathian 1st Marine Division, comprised of 13,000 troops, fought through the outskirts of Ilyas to rendezvous with the 23rd Airbone Division, who dropped a half hour later to support the 1st division. Both divisions came via military transports, which were escorted by 2 squadrons from the 53rd Apathian Air Wing. The two divisions made a rendezvous at approximately 6 in the evening, and rested at a riverside before the 42nd Airborne Division, the 76th Infantry Battalion and the 2nd Cavalry Battalion arrived via military transports overnight.
The next early morning on 11th February, Apathian transports began sending in the 3rd Armored Cavalry Division, whom was equipped with Humvees and Armored Personal Carriers. A few hours later, the structure was divided into two as more troops came in through military transports. In collaboration with the coalition, at 7 AM, the 3rd Armored Cavalry Division, along with the 42nd Airborne Division and the 76th Infantry Battalion made their way south, and entered Ilyas alongside Garmidian troops. The 23rd Airborne Division stayed back to protect the landing zone before more reinforcements came. The 1st Marine Division flanked Ilyas from the east, but were unsuccessful in reaching Ilyas before most of the coalition did.
Ilyas fell into coalition hands early in the morning on 11 February, after a quick battle led by the 5th Garmidian Marine Division. Following suit with Apathian forces, HALO jumps were made to surround the outskirts of Ilyas after Apathian forces skirmished with Malawanian forces during the initial invasion. By 11 February and by the time Ilyas fell into allied hands, the coalition had made significant advances through the north of Malawan.
Invasion from the South: Fall of Al-Dersheer
At 11:00 a.m. Malawan time the Garmidian 7th Infantry Division, the 9th Infantry Division, the 21st Airborne Division and the 11th Marine Division began the invasion of southern Malawan, attacking the city of Al-Dersheer. They were aided by the Apathian 45 Infantry Brigade, 501st Airborne Unit and the 2nd Armored Cavalry Battalion. They encountered a large number of forces and had to alter their original plan to attack the city. The 7th Infantry Division planned to make a left hook attack through the city. Air support was called in to assault Malawanian forces in preparation for the attack.
Following the air assault, the 7th Infantry Division launched their attack on Al-Dersheer, followed by the 5th Armored Battalion of the 9th Infantry Division and other smaller units. Special operations forces also entered the city as part of the 7th Infantry Division. Progress was slower than expected, but after a day-long battled, Al-Dersheer, a strategically and tactically important city, fell into coalition hands.
Continued allied advance, battle at Purasher
The coalition made large advances through Malawanian territory on the 12th. The 7th Infantry Division, after their victory at Al-Dersheer, lead the coalition advance from the south while enormous HALO jumps occurred in the north as the 11th Armored Cavalry Division lead the advance from the north. Some small towns were captured and firefights with Brigade insurgents erupted, however all were coalition victories.
Elements of the 45th Marine Armored Battalion entered the city of Luaksamer on the night of the 11th, encountering fierce resistance. They were later forced to retreat until later in the morning when the 11th Marine Armored Battalion, the 66th Airborne Battalion and the 9th Cavalry Battalion entered the city, engaging in a firefight and overcoming the Malawanians within two hours.
The next major battle, lasting throughout the 12th of February, was at Purasher in central-southern Malawan. Allied forces entered the area in a reconnaissance operation during the invasion, but did not expect to encounter resistance. Air raids were conducted over the city, destroying some enemy positions. The invasion of the city was met with a fierce battle that lasted 9 hours. 21 coalition soldiers were killed, whilst only 671 enemies were killed who had largely predictable ambush hiding spots.
Allies push deeper into Malawan
By the 13th of February the Coalition was halfway across Malawanian territory. Bombardments continued on Teonas as the coalition moved in closer towards the city. The cities of Port Ulam and Kadar fell into allied hands in the early afternoon of the 13th. The allied advance in the north was briefly halted as Malawanian troops attacked coalition forces at the city of Luser, but they were quickly defeated.
Air drops over the cities of Kubala and Uramia occurred on the 13th as well. Mountainous regions were captured on the 13th as well. Artillery bombardments continued throughout the day as coalition forces pushed deeper into Malawan.
Advancing towards Teonas
The allied advance towards Teonas continued on the 14th, where they encountered little resistance. Bombs continued to be dropped on Teonas as preparation for the siege of the city continued throughout the day. Large coalition operations halted in central Malawan, though firefights throughout the day in the eastern areas continued. A major battle in the eastern city of Gamagar erupted as Apathian-led troops launched an attack on the city as part of Operation Dragon Direct.
Fall of Teonas; Major operations end
Units from Sierra Apathia, Garmidia and United Anacreon began the largest assault on a city yet, besieging the capital city of Teonas for the whole day until fighting was declared over and occupation of the city and country was complete.
Due to the position of the insurgents in the city, strategic air bombardment was again needed. HALO airdrops were called in as well as the assault began on the 15th. Hours later, from the beginning of the siege at 6:00 a.m. to the end at 5:00 p.m., major combat operations were declared over by Sam Philips and later Jim Stone, and Anacreonian PM Alex Leigh.
See also
- Sierra Apathia and the 2010 invasion of Malawan
- ORNA and the 2010 invasion of Malawan
- Movement to impeach Sam Philips
- Monday plane attacks
- Consequences of the 2010 invasion of Malawan
- Preparations for 2010 invasion of Malawan
- Protests against 2010 invasion of Malawan
- War on Terrorism (Garmidia)
References
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