[Lauchenoiria]

Lauchenoirian Guardian

One year on: Annatown still recovering as anniversary of first battle takes place
12th June 2019

One year ago, in the city of Annatown in Ecanta province, the Lauchenoirian Resistance managed to capture the city from forces loyal to Chaher’s government. Thus, the first battle of the Second Lauchenoirian Civil War began. Led by Sonja Viratnen-Alvarez, now known to be Councillor Jennifer Hale of Kerlile using a false name, the group took control of the city in a matter of hours. Resistance control in Annatown didn’t last long – the city fell to Gonhogian troops three days later.

Most are agreed – the moment the Resistance attacked Annatown was the moment all hope of a peaceful solution was lost. Until that moment a year ago today, many across Lauchenoiria were still optimistic that armed conflict could be avoided. From that day on, however, the conflict escalated quickly, with Skodenian, Kerlian and Gonhogian troops all arriving on Lauchenoirian soil within days of each other.

Many Lauchenoirians have criticised the decision of the leaders of the Lauchenoirian Resistance to take this move instead of negotiating a peaceful solution. However, at the time, President Leanna Walker lay in a hospital bed in Laeral, unable to negotiate anything. Prime Minister Laura Moore was in hiding from Chaher’s forces in a location unknown at the time – which has since been revealed to be somewhere in the Fleurian Forest.

The third major figure in the Lauchenoirian Resistance, Jennifer Hale, aka Sonja Viratnen-Alvarez, was the main person in charge of the military side of the organisation’s affairs. Opponents of Laura Moore have claimed that Moore and Hale discussed the Annatown operation in advance. According to Moore, Hale made the unilateral decision to attack Annatown, without consulting her. Hale has yet to confirm or deny this.

Some anti-Kerlile groups believe that Hale was working at the behest of her government, ensuring armed conflict broke out, which gave Kerlile the excuse to invade Lauchenoiria. The Kerlian forces were invited to the country by Suleman Chaher – however, his defence secretary and, later, successor, Charissa Clarke was a Kerlian agent, which was revealed later. Anti-Kerlile groups believe that this was a conspiracy to allow Kerlile to take control of Lauchenoiria. Hale has denied these allegations, insisting that she genuinely supported the anti-Chaher cause, and had had no contact with her homeland since she left in 1998 aged 17.

One year on, the city of Annatown is far from recovering. Between the first battle, the Gonhogian attack, and a later attack by Coalition forces, much of the city was destroyed. There are a number of displaced individuals living in temporary accommodation in the city. Foreign aid workers from Shuell are present in the city, distributing rations to those unable to feed themselves. Food prices in Annatown are high, as shortages across Lauchenoiria continue, and many who lost their homes and livelihoods struggle to afford it.

Whatever the causes of the war, the effects are still being seen all across Lauchenoiria, and in Annatown more than most places. As elections approach on Sunday, the effort to rebuild what was destroyed in the war is at the forefront of voters’ minds, not just in Annatown but across the country.