Northeastern Sea Crisis

The Northeastern Sea Crisis was a diplomatic dispute that took place between the Confederate Dominion of Separatist Peoples (CDSP) and a number of other nations, including Laeral following anti-piracy operations involving chemical weapons.

Beginning of hostilities

On February 1st, 2018, the Confederate Dominion of Separatist Peoples announced that hostilities had broken out between the CDSP and Bigtopia, warning that vessels heading to the area should change course, and that both conventional and chemical weapons were in use in the vicinity. The CDSP announced that any attempt to interfere in the conflict zone would be deemed an act of aggression, and any foreign vessel entering the zone would be fired upon.

Response by other nations

This led to a number of nations condemning the use of chemical weapons. Following the CDSP's ignoring of the condemnations, Verwood Island Archipelago (VIA) placed a call to then-President of Laeral Nicholas Brennan. After the call, Laeral put part of their navy on alert in case of the need for a military intervention.

However, Skoden broadcast their support of the CDSP, along with Nekodemus.

Laeral put out a statement the following day, February 3rd, condemning the use of chemical weapons and informing the public that they were sending an aid fleet to the boundary of the conflict zone. The decision to send an aid fleet was quickly matched by VIA,Sancti Imperii Catholico (SIC), Zamastan and Slokais Islands. The fleet was later named the Joint Relief and Assistance Fleet (J-RAF). The CDSP released a diplomatic communique repeating the threat to refrain from entering their territorial waters. The first ships of the fleet were scheduled to arrive on February 5th.

On February 4th, a terrorist attack took place at the stock exchange in SIC. It was later revealed that the attack was unrelated to the Northeastern Sea Crisis, and was carried out by radical Violetists, killing 33 people and injuring hundreds. In Zamastan, a man wearing a Separatist pin was arrested for carrying a weapon outside the Presidential Mansion.

Grosseschnauzer issued a statement urging a peaceful resolution, and banning participants from both sides of the conflict from using services within their territory.

Activity in the conflict zone

On February 4th, the CDSP issued a broadcast threatening war with the nations of the J-RAF. Around the same time, Separatist planes began to fly over the Laeralian vessels of the J-RAF. On the same day, Zamastan also carried out military action against insurgents holding a Zamastanian family hostage in the Separatist/Bigtopian conflict zones.

On February 5th, the CDSP used a chemical attack on a Bigtopian pirate ship, ending the theoretical discussions with reality. The nations of the J-RAF decided to call for the International Affairs Committee to intervene in the situation.

The urgency of finding a solution increased for Laeral upon the discovery that 53 Laeralian citizens were at threat in the conflict zone, along with 400 Zamastanians. The nations of the fleet asked the CDSP for an escort to port to evacuate their citizens.

Grosseschnauzer announced their intention to implement an embargo of the CDSP should the IAC fail to find an alternative solution.

The CDSP agreed to a meeting of the IAC, however several nations interpreted their letter as a threat. The nations of the J-RAF began preparations for the meeting.

On the eve of the meeting however, Aertemedia joined the fleet, and Skoden sent ships to assist on the CDSP's side of the dispute and threatening action should the fleet enter Separatist territory without permission. Shortly after that, shots were fired at military personnel in Zamastan who had been part of the decision-making process.

International Affairs Committee

As the parties to the conflict prepared to meet, previously uninvolved members of the IAC began to issue statements, including President Leanna Walker of Lauchenoiria condemning the use of chemical weapons.