Lodamun

[imperialpearl]

With concerns related to mounting internal strife within Likatonia, the Department of Defence has approved the deployment of some 10,000 Commonwealth Guardsmen to the Likatonian-Lodamese border, to augment the efforts of Border Protection agents and immigration officials in managing what many believe could be a mad dash for “greener pastures.” At a briefing held by the Department of Defence earlier this morning, DoD Press Secretary Lester Perry confirmed that both Secretary of Defence Walter Kent and President William Tabner had approved the deployment of some 10,000 members of the Lodamese Commonwealth Guard to safeguard the nation’s territorial integrity alongside augmenting the efforts of border protection agents and immigration officials in processing asylum claims at the numerous civilian crossing along the border. The deployment comes amidst mounting internal strife in Likatonia, after it had been reported that numerous members of the nation’s government had been arrested or killed. Although the details of the circumstance remain unclear, the Lodamese Government has already sprung into action, with the State Department recalling all diplomatic personnel from the nation and ordering the return of Lodamese citizens from Likatonia. 

At the DoD briefing, PS Perry noted that having held numerous meetings with the Director of National Assessments, it had been concluded that the necessary precautions towards protecting Lodamun’s territorial integrity and preparing for a major influx of refugees/asylum seekers at the Lodamese-Likatonian border ought to be made. “In his meeting with national security officials alongside his briefings with the President, Secretary Kent has underscored the importance of protecting Lodamese territorial integrity at this time. It is our belief that the necessary precautions must be made to guard against would-be opportunists,” Perry explained. Commonwealth Guard units from the Berkwaki and Newchester Commonwealth Guard are expected to comprise the vast majority of the forces currently being prepared to be dispatched to the border. Beyond these deployments, PS Perry noted that the DoD had approved enhanced air patrols throughout Northern Seleya, particularly in the airspace surrounding Likatonia by Lodamese Air Force AWACS and State Air Guard combat units. Transnational travel between Likatonia and Lodamun via the Trans Seleyan Railway (TSR) remains however, the Department of Domestic Security has noted that prior to making their crossings into Lodamun, trains (both passenger and freight) will be searched for “potential national security threats”. 

Some have noted that these searches may ultimately reduce the frequency of rail traffic between Likatonia and Lodamun, as the soft border between the two states becomes increasingly impermeable. Governor of Berkwaki Nicholas Webb noted that having been briefed by officials from the Department of Domestic Security and the Department of Defence on the situation, it may be time to reconsider a hard border between Likatonia and Lodamun. “Notwithstanding the choppy relationship we’ve had with Likatonia given our association with Kalistan and the Anantonese Empire, I think it is time for us to revisit the idea of a hard border between Likatonia and Lodamun. While we should remain accommodating to the needs of asylum seekers/refugees, we must also consider the real threat instability in that nation poses to Berkwaki and Lodamun at large.” Webb concluded.