Editing Battle of Freeborn (section)

==Background==
===Preparations for the battle===
Following the [[1/2/20 Terror Attacks|attacks of January 2nd, 2020]], [[President of Vulkaria|President]] [[Farhen Brooks]] requested a [[Zamastan]]ian-led coalition to assist the [[Armed Forces of Vulkaria]] to capture [[Malvarian Liberation Front|M.L.F.]]-controlled territory, as well as for the planned destruction of the terror group. Zamastanian, [[Libertas Omnium Maximus|Maximusian]], and [[Shen]] forces massed in [[Vulkar]] and prepared for an assault to push deep into enemy territory. 

===Defenses of Freeborn===
The first city along the planned route was [[Freeborn]], a sizable river-side city with a population of 17,000 people. To prepare defenses against the assault, M.L.F. operatives dug 4 m2 holes around the city, which they planned to fill with burning oil to reduce visibility and slow advances. They also built dozens of elaborate tunnels in the villages surrounding Freeborn, rigged with explosives and booby-traps, and laid improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and mines along the roads. There was considerable concern that M.L.F. might employ chemical weapons against soldiers and civilians. However, it was discovered that much of the M.L.F. defenses had been moved in the days prior to the attack to the city of [[Amden]] up north in preparation for the eventual [[Battle of Amden (2020)|Zamastanian assault on the city]] which was expected to happen following the inevitable capture of Freeborn.

The insurgents also had several anti-air defense systems spread across the city that were preventing air raids by Zamastanian planes. These systems were mounted on flatbed trucks and continuously moved, which made tracking and targeting difficult for coalition forces. 

===Forces involved in the battle===
About 3,000–5,000 M.L.F. fighters were estimated to be in Freeborn city, according to the Zamastan Department of Defense. Other estimates ranged as low as 2,000 and high as 12,000 M.L.F. fighters, with "half of them... highly trained, and the rest... either teenagers or not well trained. About ten percent of the fighters are foreign (Vulkarian and non-Vulkarian). Most are from inner townships and districts." 

Zamastanian, [[Libertas Omnium Maximus|Maximusian]], and [[Shen]] troops were the three main forces taking part in the battle. About 3,000 Zamastanian troops, led by General [[Chase Lyons]], with direct combat roles given to Commander [[James Greshen]] and Lieutenant-Colonel [[Emmett Marsh]]. The Zamastanian troops situated themselves directly east of the city to take the two main bridges into the city.