Kafuristan

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Kafuri Majatran News Agency

King Bassam II University of Minerals and Petroleum launched, inaugural class begins.

September, 5561

Minister of Education and Culture Ashqar el-Rehmann announced the founding of the King Bassam II University of Minerals and Petroleum, an amalgamation of several smaller colleges and universities located in Lehaza, Pabeus that focus on engineering and geo-sciences. The unification program was first proposed by the President of the Kafuri Center for Petroleum Studies and Research, Muhyddeen al-Ghaffari, in 5558, and formally entertained by the Ministry of Education and Culture after the urging of King Bassam II to develop a robust education program aimed at bringing the best and brightest to Kafuristan as well as ensuring that Kafuristan is a world-leader in the field of oil and natural gas for eternity. The campus broke ground in 5559 after the Ministry of Education and Culture approved formally of the project and the campus was founded on an abandoned housing development that was moved following issues with funding from a private developer, the Majali family personally paid approximately $327m LOD to the developer to assist in the moving of the housing complex and the development of a new one, which earned the President al-Ghaffari to propose naming the new university after the reigning King. During the construction of the campus, the Ministry of Education and Culture brought together several smaller colleges and upstart universities that struggled to attract students as well as leaders in the field due to the intense competition, the centralization of these schools under one roof has the potential to generate a massive leap in oil and natural gas technologies, as well as research and exploration. The bulk of the campus was completed in early 5561, and the school entered into basic operations.

The university began accepting applications in the spring of 5561 for the fall of 5561, and several prominent leaders within Sharnaft and the government have announced their acceptance into programs. The University will offer programs in Engineering, Physics, Computing, Mathematics, Petroleum Engineering, Geoscience, Chemicals, Materials, Design, Architecture, Business, Business Administration, and a General Studies program for new students. King Bassam II announced that the Majali family would be endowing the institution with a large scale scholarship program worth approximately $1b LOD for Kafuri and Majatran students who aim to study at the university.

[Auditorii]

Mujaz al-Difa al-Majitrani

Majatran Defense Brief, a publication of Gath Defense Collective, brings you the latest in defense and security news in Majatra.

November 5562 | Kafuristan creates new unified special forces command.

Kafuri Commandos engaged in training somewhere in Pabeus, Kafuristan.

Chief of the General Staff Field Marshal Kabir bin Ziyaad al-Majali confirmed that the General Staff would be consolidating several special forces formations into the the Kafuri Special Forces Command (KSOFC), the command, attached to the General Staff will coordinate several "special forces" formations of the Kafuri Armed Forces. The first group that will be placed underneath its command is the various commando regiments of the Kafuri Majatran Army, this includes the 1st Commando Regiment, 2nd Commando Regiment, 3rd Commando Regiment, the 4th Commando Regiment and the 5th Commando Regiment. The Kafuri Marine's Special Naval Reconnaissance Group (SNRG) will be attached, according to Emir Kabir, the Kafuri Majatran Air Force will provide a new formation to provide assistance to the Kafuri Special Forces Command as necessary and there have been rumors that the Kafuri Royal Guard Corps is in the early stages of forming a brand new special forces-type formation. The move for consolidation comes at a time when tensions within Majatra, particularly southeast Majatra have risen and are taking a turn for the worse according to Emir Kabir. The Chief also announced a new series of armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) that will be produced alongside the extensive and growing list of UAVs that are in the Majatran Organization for Industrialization's catalogue.

[Auditorii]

Mujaz al-Difa al-Majitrani

Majatran Defense Brief, a publication of Gath Defense Collective, brings you the latest in defense and security news in Majatra.

July 5566 | King Bassam II Naval Air Base to open in O'mer.

Chief of the General Staff Field Marshal Kabir bin Ziyaad al-Majali confirmed that the General Staff would be opening a new naval air base located on the outskirts of al-Qoralus, a coastal city located in eastern O'mer. The Port of Qoralus has served as a vital port on the eastern coast of Kafuristan for centuries and the expansion of a pre-existing naval base is a first for the Kafuri Navy. The new naval air base, to be known as the King Bassam II Naval Air Base, and will be serve as the headquarters for the South Ocean Fleet, which will be based out of the new naval air base. The South Ocean Fleet, the premier fleet of the Kafuri Navy, has undergone a substantial renovation and is currently being outfitted with a myriad of new vessels, the port will also serve as a vital deterrent for any opposing forces within the Sea of Lost Souls and those sailing south from the South Ocean. While the Ministry of Defense has remained tight-lipped about the naval air bases capabilities, it is likely to serve as a vital intelligence point for the Kafuri Navy as they open their first large-scale, permanent naval base on the east coast of Kafuristan. Expansion of the pre-existing port and the development of new facilities is expected to take approximately a year and completion and full operation is slated for summer, 5568.

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Huriya

Freedom is Kafuristan's leading opposition and free newspaper.

Tariq al-Ahazi announces run for Consultative Assembly seat.

July, 5556

Tariq al-Ahazi, the scion of the Ahazi political dynasty, announced a formal run for a seat in the Consultative Assembly in the coming May, 5568 elections as an independent. The Ahazi family, closely linked to the city of Ahaz and its surrounding region, have been stalwart defenders of democracy and the republican system of governance in Kafuristan for centuries. The Ahazi family gained prominence as leaders of several moderate, pro-republican political organizations and parties in the late 19th century and eventually entered formally into politics in the 20th century. They were prominent supporters of the so called Ahazi Republic during the civil war in Kafuristan, they have remained stalwart defenders of a democratic system of governance in Kafuristan and have often paid the price, several members of the family including shortly before the ascension of King Bassam II, have been jailed and ultimately executed for their perceived agitation against the government. Tariq welcomed the stability provided by the Majali family and according to sources has met with King Bassam II several times over the years, often as an advisor on issues related to governance and administration. Officials close to King Bassam II stated that the King urged Tariq to run and welcomed the "political discourse" that would be generated within the Consultative Assembly by Tariq's presence.

The ownership and editors of Huriya would remind all Kafuri's that underneath the Majalite Kingdom of Kafuristan that Huriya is not banned as it has been underneath previous governments.

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Mujaz al-Difa al-Majitrani

Majatran Defense Brief, a publication of Gath Defense Collective, brings you the latest in defense and security news in Majatra.

April/May 5574 | Crisis in Southeast Majatra: War breaks out between Istalia, Pontesi and Kafuristan

As tensions over the years grew in Southeast Majatra, influenced by its Majatran neighbor in the north, Pontesi, Kafuristan prepared for conflict with Istalia. The conflict, largely based around ethnic lines, seemed to simmer until early morning hours of April, 5574 when Istalian ships, air craft and special operation forces began a conflict against the Majalite Kingdom of Kafuristan. The eastern coast of Kafuristan, dominated by the region of O'mer became the battleground between Istalia and Kafuristan, the first Majatra war in several decades. The early warning systems that Kafuristan has developed, failed according to sources close to the Kafuri General Staff and the Ministry of Defense and sources close to the Majali family noted that when discovered, King Bassam flew into a rage and nearly attacked his brother, the Chief of the General Staff Field Marshal Kabir bin Ziyaad al-Majali who had come inform him of a growing fleet of Istalian vessels off the eastern coast. King Bassam ordered all available forces to be dispatched the eastern coast, perhaps the most damning failure was the attack on the new King Bassam II Naval Air base, located on the outskirts of al-Qoralus. The South Ocean Fleet, currently on rotation in the Majatran Sea, had little vessels at the base and thus largely escaped unscathed. According to sources close to the Majali family, the General Intelligence Directorate activated a number of "sleeper" organizations within their Quanzari loyalist in western Istalia, where the Majatran population is its largest.

Following the reports of both amphibious and air-based landings, in the early morning hours of the operation, both the 7th Corps and the 8th Corps were fully mobilized, and dispatched to the eastern coast of O'mer. In the run up to tensions, the Kafuri Majatran Army had been partially mobilized, notably in O'mer where the General Staff believed an invasion would take place. General Abdul Baasid el-Youssef, commanding officer of the 7th Corps and General Azhaar al-Greiss, commanding officer of the 8th Corps have begun the process of repelling any invasion. According to reports from the Military Intelligence Directorate, provided to the Political and Morale Directorate, portions of O'mer have been occupied by Istalian troops but largely consist of smaller towns and uninhabited areas. The 11th Corps, which has been assigned to rear guard duties, has been pushed into reserve areas to provide enhanced security to Kafuristan's cities and high value installations. While Istalian forces will likely be able to establish a suitable beachhead and forward positions to begin planning more advances, the Kafuri Majatran Army will begin counter-attacks along the coast.

As the days rolled on, the Kafuri Majatran Army came under attack by Istalian Air Force assets, and the Kafuri Majatran Air Defense Force was largely rolled over against the more advanced air frames of the IAF. The KMADF lost several aircraft in air-to-air engagements, but the IAF was unable to make any serious gains by attacking notably Kafuri facilities due to the fact that the "Kafuri Shield", operated by the KMADF was fully operational and has been in place for centuries to protect major cities and important locations throughout Kafuristan. Elements of the 11 Air Defense Squadron and 109 Air Defense Squadron were wholly destroyed, prompting the intervention of the the 675 Air Defense Squadron, the 776 Air Defense Squadron and several others from around the country. The aerial war, continuing to be dominated by the IAF, has largely been won over small towns and villages, where the Kafuri Shield is generally non-existent or outdated. The Kafuri's responded in kind, forces from the Kafuri Royal Guard Corps (KRGC) launched a series of missile strikes aimed at the western provinces of Istalia, focusing mostly on military installations, economic and industrial centers and command and control operations. The missiles, which were launched from southern O'mer and southern Abi'nadi, were joined by a flurry of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), many of them loitering munitions, commonly called "suicide drones", due to their expendable nature.

The Kafuri Royal Guard Corps also immediately deployed significant forces, including the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Corps to O'mer to meet the invasion. The KRGC, perhaps the most well equipped and trained formation of the Kafuri Armed Forces, is expected to engage in heavy fighting as it reaches to meet Istalian forces on the coast. O'mer's eastern coast, as is somewhat typical throughout Kafuristan, major cities and towns and villages are well built up and connected with infrastructure but smaller villages and towns, and large open areas are poorly connected to the wider infrastructure of the nation. O'mer, has "above average" infrastructure but the coastal areas, outside of a few major cities and towns, which Istalia has begun staging to attack, have not been invaded and are preparing for any attacks. Over the next few days, the Kafuri forces will be converging on O'mer and the growing threat of the Istalian fleet off the coast.

[Auditorii]

Mujaz al-Difa al-Majitrani

Majatran Defense Brief, a publication of Gath Defense Collective, brings you the latest in defense and security news in Majatra.

January 5575 | Crisis in Southeast Majatra: Kafuri pushes into northern O'mer, fighting continues in south.

Typically when observing war, most intelligence is gathered "open-source" for reporters and those invested in the conflict, however a unique situation has developed where members of Gath Defense Collective, who are reporting on the Crisis in Southeast Majatra, have developed a relationship with the Kafuri General Staff's Political and Morale Directorate which publishes updates regarding the conflict and alongside other reporters, have been given access to up to date information.

Elements of the 7th Armored Brigade staging to attack Istalian positions.

Kafuri forces were able to organize an offensive in northern O'mer, near al-Qoralus, seeking to return and restore operations to King Bassam Naval Air Base that was largely abandoned when Istalian forces landed near the base, as well after a series of naval and air-based strikes on the base. Elements of the 7th Corps, which is assigned to Northern O'mer, conducted a series of offensives, seeking to push the Istalian forces that are largely relegated towards the coast out of Northern O'mer. Elements of the 7th Armored Brigade, and their commander, Major General Qaaid el-Nazir pushed into the outskirts of al-Qoralus, where the Istalian forces have advanced close to the city limits and the surrounding outlier districts. The 7th Armored Brigade, operating MOI-built T-72B3M main battle tanks, engaged with Istalian forces and who had begun to dig in and attempted to make their way towards King Bassam Naval Air Base. The capture of the base, which has been held by the 1st Kafuri Marine Brigade since the start of the invasion, would've been a massive victory for the Istalian's but they were denied by the timely arrival of the 1st Kafuri Marine Brigade, an elite formation of the Kafuri Navy and the wider Kafuri Armed Forces. The entire 1st Kafuri Marine Brigade had been transferred to the new base and when the invasion began, the remaining forces were hurried there. Elements of the 1st Marine Armored Battalion, and the 3rd Marine Armored Battalion combined with the 1st Marine Reconnaissance Company engaged in heavy fighting on the outskirts of the base with Istalian forces, they were supported by elements of the 5th Army Aviation Regiment, which is comprised of several variants of attack helicopters.

Kafuri Marines, supported by Kafuri Army Aviation, conducting airborne assault on Istalian forces.

While the fighting in Northern O'mer has been a success, the situation in Southern O'mer has been less pleasant according to sources within the Kafui General Staff and Ministry of Defense. Kafuristan has focused largely on keeping its state of the art, F-16K fighters from engaging with the Istalian Air Force, largely due to the fact that they have limited numbers. The IAF have been able to generally operate with ease in Southern O'mer where they have contested, but greater air superiority. Sources within the Kafuri Royal Guard Corps and the Kafuri Air Force have confirmed that by February, 5575 they will deploy the F-16K to the area and rotate other aircraft from the front line. On the ground, the 8th Corps has made steady progress but is plagued by the persistent issue of IAF strikes on their forces, something that the Kafuri Shield has rebuked from urban areas but not from the largely rural and hilly areas in which the Istalian and Kafuri forces are fighting. The Kafuri's have made significant use of drone warfare, including first person view (FPV) kamikaze drones, quick and cheap to utilize but have also pressed more advanced drones into warfare on large-scale for the first time. For instance, the Shahid-149 "Kathuristan" (based on the Shahed 149 "Gaza") has been deployed and has conducted several surgical strikes on Istalian forces along the Southern O'mer coast, and have largely been unchecked. While the larger, more advanced drones have been utilize, the Kafuri's have put their Shahid-136 (based on HESA Shahed 136) to use and have utilized them to strike at the heart of Istalian forces, these loitering munitions, often called "kamikaze" drones, are effect weapons and according to some sources have been utilized as "terror weapons" on retreating or disorganized Istalian forces.

Kafuri Royal Guard Corps launch ballistic missiles of various types towards Western Istalia.

Despite the situation in Southern O'mer not progressing as the Ministry of Defense and General Staff would have hoped, it remains stalwart in their defense of Kafuristan and with the surge of new fighter aircraft in the coming months, the tide is likely to turn against the Istalian Air Force. While the war has hit close to home in Kafuristan, the Kafuri Armed Forces have reminded Istalia that it is only a stones throw away from Kafuristan itself. At great expense to the arsenals of Kafuristan, the Kafuri's have been launching daily ballistic missile salvos at both Istalian forces in Kafuristan and in Western Istalia, where Kafuristan's ballistic missiles can reach. These ballistic missiles strikes have been targeting a wide variety of Istalian military installations as well as key limited infrastructure. Conflict watchers from Gath Defense Collective have cited a "strategic layer of thinking" for Kafuri ballistic missile strikes, avoiding key economic and major infrastructure which might be utilized in a "counter-invasion" of Istalia. "We believe that the Kafuri government, once pushing Istalia from its borders, will likely mount a counter-invasion of Istalia, notably Western Istalia where the Majatran population is at its highest and contains a significant portion of the old Quanzari Empire. There is a strategic layer of thinking here that is often displayed when nations have intentions to capitalize on these strikes." There have been rumors that the Kafuri Royal Guard Corps Ground Forces are preparing their 1st, 2nd and 3rd Airborne Brigades for a large-scale assault in Istalia to form a spearhead for further operations in Istalia as a whole.

[Auditorii]

Mujaz al-Difa al-Majitrani

Majatran Defense Brief, a publication of Gath Defense Collective, brings you the latest in defense and security news in Majatra.

January 5576 | Crisis in Southeast Majatra: Kafuri launch massive offensive in O'mer, look to bring war to Istalia.

A Kafuri Majatran Air Force air strike on Istalian positions as Kafuri intensifies recapturing territory.

Kafuri forces have made headway in recapturing large swathes of land in eastern Kafuristan's O'mer region as King Bassam II has decreed that no further inch of Kafuri land will be seceded to the Istalian invaders. Underneath the leadership of local leaders and tribal chieftains, the King ordered the Kafuri Majatran Air Force to drop small arms and rocket-propelled grenades to local militias to repel Istalian forces where Kafuri forces have not yet arrived. The opening of ammo depots to provide surplus equipment has been a boon for these local fighters, many of them owing allegiance to King Bassam and the Majali family, something that will be further shored up with his efforts to get them to fight. Many of these militia members, largely former conscripts or employed by security services, have provided a boost in both manpower and a growing local intelligence network in which the Kafuri Majatran Army is utilizing to strike at Istalian supply routes and convoys throughout the eastern region of O'mer. In recent months the fighting, while fierce, has largely been favoring the Kafuri's who continue to utilize their knowledge of the land to their advantage, they have also been bolstered by continued support from new technologies such as drones and increased production of ballistic missiles which provide them with considerable range and reach. The Kafuri's have pioneered the use of drone warfare, focusing on both larger, high-altitude drones as well as cheap and quick to produce first person view drones or "suicide drones". In accordance with the decrees of the General Staff, the Supreme Security Council and the King, the Kafuri military has set up a fusion center for the conflict, aiming to improve their military prowess in future conflicts.

While the bulk of the fighting remains on the mainland of eastern Kafuristan, the Kafuri's have begun taking the fight to the Istalian's on their territory. According to sources within the General Intelligence Directorate and the Military Intelligence Directorate confirmed that operations are planned for a "...massive counter-strike..." on Istalia. The Kafuri Royal Guard Corps have launched hundreds of ballistic missiles into Istalia over the past several months, aiming at weakening "key infrastructure"; many speculate that they are setting the stage for an invasion into Istalia.

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Kafuri Majatran News Agency

King Bassam II celebrates Golden Jubilee despite tensions and conflict.

September, 5590 (Backdated)

In the midst of the on-going conflict with Istalia, His Majesty King Bassam II, celebrated his Golden Jubilee following 50 years of rule in September, 5590. King Bassam II, often referred to as the "the Grand Restorer" due the invasion in western Istalia, which was once claimed by the Grand Emirate of Quanzar, is in good spirits and health according to official reports from the government. The monarch, now in his late 70s, continues to remain active and has enjoyed the so-called "fruits" of his labor. The King highlighted the resounding success of the Kafuri people and the Kafuri Armed Forces in repelling and then subsequently invading Istalia over the past decade and restoring a portion of the once dominant Grand Emirate of Quanzar. At this celebration, the religious community as well as the remaining noble families and tribes from the lands of the former Grand Emirate of Quanzar announced that the House of Majali would be deemed as the "Grand Emir of Qunzar", utilizing the title that was often assigned to the House of Quanzar, which has largely faded from their Majatran ethnicity. The King also touched on the economic successes of Kafuristan over the past 50 years, noting the general quality of life has improved for the average Kafuri and massive improvements have been made towards continuing that improvement for Kafuri people, irrespective of government.

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Kafuri Majatran News Agency

King Bassam II expected to abdicate in favor of grandson.

March, 5616

His Majesty King Bassam II announced that in the coming year he will be abdicating in favor of a younger member of his family. The reigning King, currently aged 116, is one of the oldest sitting monarchs and since his late 90s has taken a ceremonial role, delegating his duties to his son Jalal bin Bassam al-Majali and his grandson, Jalal bin Jalal al-Majali. The younger Jalal has been widely seen as a successor and has been a close confidant of the grandson of former Kafuri Royal Guard Corps Deputy Commander, General Ishaaq al-Sabet, Qutb al-Sabet, who has been serving as Prime Minister since 5600. The younger Jalal has brought his two brothers, Jafar and Hamad into the fold, both of which serve in the recently reformed Ministry of the Armed Forces, formerly the Ministry of Defense, and the other an officer in the Royal Kafuri Guard Corps holding the rank of Field Marshal, 1st Class.

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Kafuri Majatran News Agency

King Jalal extends offer to Badara for new talks.

December, 5617

Officials from the Majalite Kingdom of Kafuristan have announced an invitation from the new King, Jalal, to the Badaran government to discuss matters of "regional importance". His Majesty, King Jalal ascended to the throne earlier then expected as his grandfather and late King Bassam II, suffered a heart attack and passed in the late hours of the night in April, 5617. The new King was coronated in mid April, 5617. While the Majali family opted for a more low-key coronation, they have greater plans to celebrate the life of King Bassam II the Great Restorer, who oversaw the temporary restoration of the Grand Emirate of Quanzar in what is considered to be Western Istalia. The announcement came as the new King is expected to announce a new series of foreign policy initiatives and one of them includes renewing relations with the government in Badara.