Akanatoa War

The Akanatoa is an ongoing military conflict between Pelaxia, Loa Republic and the Akanatoa Chiefdom.

Background
The Akanatoa Chiefdom has been linked with Pelaxian local terrorist and separatist organization from the province of Savria. Under the perview of E4 commitments Pelaxia has been carrying out counter-smuggling operations over the Kindred Sea to deny Loa smugglers free movement in the sea and prevent them from smuggling weapons into Pelaxia.

The Pelaxian Ministry of Defense produced an extensive intelligence report linking the smuggling activities to the High Chieftain Galauenda of Akanatoa. Through this, the Federal Chancellor Valladolid instructed its Primer Minister, Pedro Meireles, to carry out the arrest and/or elimination of the responsible groups devicing this activities.

Outbreak


On January 2026 two "Guardia Civil" officers were shot and killed at a checkpoint 10 kilometers away from Leg in Savria. These attacks were claimed but the re-formed separatist organizartion FLNS. During the month of January and February, Federal Civil Guard elements cracked down on the attackers. Guardia Civil's presence in Savria and its capital Tabăra was to be reinforced as provincial elections approached. Meireles' reportedly snapped at the Joint Chiefs of Staff "No Fuckery" around the Operation Mare Nostrum, reported RMC News.

From the operartion carried out by the Guardia Civil, it was alleged that the guns used by the FLNS have not been funneled from within Anastasio Torque Autonomous Community, and later the Minisitry of Interior, Ministry of Security and the DISEN were instructed to elaborate a comprehensive report on the matter. This report, later titled the "Weapons Lane " report detailed a connection bettween high ranking chiefs of the Akanatoa region and FLNS militants.

Primer Minister Meireles lauched Operation "Mare Nostrum" through national security powers. Naval elements expaned its area of operation and assets in the Kindred Sea to police and secure maritime lanes under the E4 perview and capacity. "This a direct response to the pressure he is handling after the arms smuggling in Sawra", a Government insider said at the time. This marked the first time a Prime Minister made use of the Smart Defense Act, which gives the Prime Minister powers for emergency military deployment abroad and support of federal forces internally by declaring a state of exception in the event of an explicit threat to national security, if the Chiefdom of the Akanatoa Ipadoes does not extradite regional leaders implicated by the Ministry of Interior in the "Weapons Lane" Report. Political advisors and Chiefs of Staff were described as "uneasy" by a source.

By late february a large concentration of pelaxian military assets on key strategic naval bases and ports was noticeable by several media outlets and even several family members of pelaxian service men went on social media expressing concrerns for their relatives being called upong to their bases.

On March 20th, the Ministry of Defense reported 1 dead and 2 injured during and attack to a Pelaxian frigate. The Pelaxian Navy confirmed the Gutierrez Class Frigate "NAP Aureliano Castro" was impacted by a weapons smuggling boat loaded with explosives, as a second boat avoided the patrol task force. "This shows an upgrade in Loa smuggling tactics who are willing to target military and security personell in the Kindred", the Navy report said. From the images shared on Ixtwitter, the explosion triggered an on deck fire and fire protocols were initiated. One sailor was confirmed deceased on board, while another two were injured

Later that month in Loa, the invasion of Lepekepeke has advanced significantly, with the entire eastern half of the itisi being occupied bu the joint forces of Huselesele and Kasanda. The Queen Mother of Jateatea Koaualolo later made an official statement. She stated that the Kingdoms Jateatea, Gokulu and Hasada will intervene militarily against the two invasions, and that Jateatea will be sending approximately 30,000 troops to pacify the Ahoso Rebellions. In addition, the Queen Mother as reportedly allowed the state of Pelaxia to assist in the matter. Although the combined forces of the three kingdoms numbers 700,000 their military is far less disciplined and well supplied then the kapo, who are by nature warmongering.

By March 2026 full mobilization was issued to the Pelaxian Armed Forces, and by May Operacion Cimitarra was approved.

Galauenda Raid


On March 13th, two battalions of the 1st Pioneers Regiment ("Pioneros") and one company of the 1st Rapid Aerial Response Battalion (1st RAR) landed on Akanatoan territory by a swimmer delivery vehicle and inflatable boats under cover of the night. Their mission was to kill or capture Chieftain Galauenda and other 5 of his generals. The Pioneers were to screen and gather intelligence on the military capacity of the Akanatoan forces around Imahenda and to track the movements of Galauenda, awaiting approval to strike. The combined special operations task force was instructed to create and secure a supply landing zone to substain them vía nocturnal air drop from an A-400M.

On the night of March 31st Operación Cimitarra is green lit and the company of the 1st RAR engages Galauenda’s escort convoy 30 kilometers away from Imahenda. The Ministry of Defense will later report that 3 members of the High Chieftain of Akanatoa General Staff have been killed during an operation carried by the 1st Rapid Aerial Response Battalion (1st RAR) that has been deployed over the region in advance of Operation Cimitarra.

Afterwards 1st RAR would be instructed to evade capture and continue to gather intelligence on key strategic objectives such as ammo depots and anti-air positions and secure a supply landing zone for the rest of the special forces in the area. While the 1st Pioneers Regiment were tasked to destroy other installations such as radio towers.

Sea and Air Operations
On the 1st of April the Pelaxian Task Force already lurking in the Akanatoan waters started its air operations to destroy or deny the enemy infrastructure and establish a No Fly Zone over Akanatoa for the following land campaign.

The maritime task force was composed of
 * 2 aircraft carriers,
 * 20 frigates,
 * 4 submarines,
 * 30 corvettes,
 * 8 Amphibious transport docks and
 * 2 landing ship tanks.

Together this fleet amassed a force of 160,000 personnel of the Pelaxian Armed Forces and the Federal Civil Guard.

Air raids from the Enterprise Class "Jernónimo l" aircraft carrier began in the morning with Burgundian Rafale M and Urcean F4 Phantoms, making up to 40 sorties per day engaging several ground objectives identified by the special forces on the ground. As per maritime strategy the frigate escort provided anti air protection to the carriers, engaging several Akanatoan small aircraft that threatened the operation of the task force.

By the 10th of April nearly all the stationary and logistical reserves of the Akanatoan militia has been destroyed, and the Task Force controlled the airspace over the province.

First Amphibious Operation


A heavy land base of operations was key for the following land invasion of Operación Cimitarra. The lack of this base would compromise any big land unit that intended to operate in mainland Akanaoa. Eventually a plan was hatched to capture the Prima Island right off the coast of the Imahenda delta. The plan was to carry out an amphibious landing by Pelaxian Marine forces the 12th of April, eject the small Akanatoan presence and establish an airbase on the island.

The success of this operation would depend on the performance of the Pelaxian Marine Corps whose task was to get ashore and physically capture the Akanatoan garrison.

Following the capture of Prima Island, Base Irunga began construction as the main operating base for the combined Pelaxian forces, and to become the biggest foreign operating base of the Pelaxian Armed Forces to date.

Base Irunga would be the seat of the theater command for the rest of the operation.

Airborne Deployment in the North


The 813th Air Recon Battalion embarked on CH - 47s and Aérospatiale SA 330 Pumas to perform an air assault landing on Sulaga city, intending to land in the mountains, secure a strategic airfield 10 kilometers from the area to channel in reinforcements and begin to surround the city. This key airfield was nicknamed “La pista de oro” / “The golden strip” some platoons had to switch abruptly to a parachute landing when they learned mid-flight that some landing zones were contested. The air drop began at 03:30 on April 13th in the face of heavy resistance from anti-aircraft guns and several small arms fire. Dassault Rafale M provided support for the landing. Local construction vehicles were commandeered to help clear landing zones and roads, and one even used to provide mobile cover for the troopers as they moved to seize the heights surrounding the roads.The troopers secured several road junctions and bridges leading to the city by 08:00 AM, and transport planes were able to land and unload additional reinforcements. By 10:00 “The golden strip” was secured enabling CASA C-295 to land several SK-105 tank destroyers to provide fire support for the following troops. Starting at 12:00, troops began landing from the 801st and 802nd Parachute Regiments. Troopers from the 813th fanned out and secured the surrounding area, negotiating the surrender of over 300 Akanatoans in an aviation hangar.

At 15:30, major firefights were reported as local militia started counter-attacking.

Marine landing at Banaluekono
On April 20th the NAP Enrico, Unión, and Laureano, carrying the 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade under Condestable General Carlos Algabo, deploy the spearhead of the naval infantry operation on the city of Banaluekono, 20 kilometeres away from Imahenda.

First ashore was the Battalion Landing Team 3/9, which arrived on the beach at 8:15 a.m. Wearing full battle gear and carrying RAP-18s, the Marines were met with small arms fire on the beach. Within two hours, Battalion Landing Team 1/3 began landing.

The 7,000 Marines were deployed to secure the town’s airstrip, freeing local rebel militia up for combat. The Marines successfully create a secure beachhead for the rest of the Division, in order to create a second front West of Imahenda and advance north cutting off any Akanatoan forces trying to run into friendly provinces.

=Battle of Imahenda=

Preparations


Before beginning their attack, Pelaxian special forces had established checkpoints around the city to prevent anyone from entering, and to intercept enemy fighters attempting to flee. In addition, overhead imagery was used to prepare maps of the city for use by the attackers. Pelaxian units were augmented by Loa local interpreters to assist them in the planned fight. After weeks of withstanding air strikes and artillery bombardment, the Akanatoan fighters in the city appeared to be vulnerable to direct attack. Pelaxian Army, Marines, Navy and Special Forces totalled 64,300. The Pelaxian High Command had gathered a complete Marine division of 20,000 and two Army division of 41,600 soldiers that would take part in the assault, with about 2,500 Navy and Special Forces personnel in operational and support roles. 'Troops were grouped in three Divisions comprising the "Cuerpo de Armas Combinadas de Imahenda"'' (Imahenda Combined Arms Corps)

2nd Marine Division

2nd Expeditionary Brigade
 * 1st Mechanized Marine Regiment
 * 2nd Marine Regiment
 * 2nd Mechanized Marine Regiment
 * 4th Marine Regiment
 * 5th Marine Regiment
 * 6th Marine Regiment
 * 2nd Marine Artillery Regiment
 * 3rd Marine Logistics Regiment
 * 4th Marine Logistics Regiment
 * 2nd Marine Engineer Regiment
 * 3rd Marine Engineer Regiment

1st Army Division

1st Infantry Brigade 1st Mechanized Birgade Special Forces Attachment
 * 45th Termian Regiment
 * 1st Air Cavalry Regiment
 * 15th Artillery Batallion
 * 134th Air Defence Batallion
 * 33rd Engineer Batallion
 * 35th Comms Batallion
 * 54th Logistics Regiment
 * 1st Medical Batallion
 * 61st Dragoons Regiment
 * 142nd Mech. Infrantry Regiment
 * 92nd Artillery Batallion
 * 7th Air Defence Batallion
 * 34th Engineer Batallion
 * 36th Comms Batallion
 * 55th Logistics Regiment
 * 2nd Medical Batallion
 * 1st Rapid Aerial Response Batallion (1st RAR)
 * 1st Halberd Legion Regiment (1st RAL)

3rd Army Division

3rd Infantry Brigade 4th Infantry Brigade
 * 44th Infantry Regiment
 * 135th Air Defence Batallion
 * 33rd Engineer Batallion
 * 35th Comms Batallion
 * 60th Logistics Regiment
 * 1st Tactical Air Transport Squadron
 * 7th Medical Batallion
 * 14th Motorized Infantry Regiment
 * 5th Artillery Batallion
 * 9th Air Defence Batallion
 * 37th Engineer Batallion
 * 41st Comms Batallion
 * 61st Logistics Regiment
 * 8th Medical Batallion

All the BOCs were supported by Marine fixed and rotary-winged aircraft, Navy and Air Force fixed-wing aircraft; 1st Rapid Aerial Response Batallion (1st RAR) teams, 1st Halberd Legion Regiment (1st RAL) battalions and corresponding units from the Logistics and Medical Common Corps. The 1st Rapid Aerial Response Batallion (1st RAR) was ordered to help with the encirclement of Imahenda. As part of the support elements (TBD Unit from Arcerion) prepared to take part in the operation.

Akanatoan Forces
Imahenda was defended by about 15,000 "regulars" and 5,000+ "part time" conmbatants. Imahenda was occupied by virtually every military unit from the Akanatoan Ipa: TBD,TBD,TBD,TBD.

The Akanatoan forces present in the city prepared fortified defenses in advance of the anticipated attack. They dug tunnels, trenches, prepared spider holes, and built and hid a wide variety of IEDs. In some locations they filled the interiors of darkened homes with large numbers of propane bottles, large drums of gasoline, and ordnance, all wired to a remote trigger that could be set off when troops entered the building. They blocked streets with Jersey barriers and even emplaced them within homes to create strong points behind which they could attack unsuspecting troops entering the building.

The Akanatoan forces were equipped with a variety of advanced small arms, APCs, trucks, body armor, uniforms and helmets. They booby-trapped buildings and vehicles, including wiring doors and windows to grenades and other ordnance. Anticipating tactics to seize the roof of high buildings, they bricked up stairwells to the roofs of many buildings, creating paths into prepared fields of fire which they hoped the troops would enter.

Intelligence briefings given prior to battle reported that Pelaxian forces would encounter Istrenyan, and Corummese combatants, as well as native Akanatoans.

Phase 1
Special Forces Attachment secures Gulf Island: Both the Pelaxian 1st Rapid Aerial Response Batallion (1st RAR) and the Arco Commando served as the main effort on the island and supported by the 1st Halberd Legion Regiment (1st RAL). These initial attacks, however, were aimed to secure access to the city’s gulf and establish a base for artillery and forward command posts on the small island covering the mouth of the river.

The island was mainly unguarded with only small groups of armed akanatoan militias. A special force attachment was trusted with this operation in order to minimize collateral damage to sacred and holy places that were present all over the territory. 1st RAR landed at 11.00 and around 13.00 the 1st RAL encountered small arms fire that was quickly taken care of. By 15.00 the whole island was considered secured and no damages to holy structures were reported.

The island would be used as a base for command and support units following the next phase of the invasion. Artillery units began to be air dropped by 16.00 and by 20.00 a Forward Operating Base was under construction.

After the 2nd Marine Engineer Regiment interrupted and disabled electrical power at two substations located just northeast and northwest of the city, two 2nd Expeditionary Brigade of the 2nd Marine Division launched an attack along the southern coast of the city, right over the industrial sector. The marines were to clear the initial landing site in order to spearhead the advance over the key industrial sector of the city. Advancing north and following the river on both the west and east bank, their objective was to clear the industrial sector of any enemy presence and secure three bridges for later demolition. The destruction of the bridges would pocket any Akanatoan forces east of the river.