Crisis Along the Aquor-Ornur/Symbalia Border!

Background Situation

After years of poor forestry management, Aquor-Ornur has very little in the way of forests left. Despite a shift to industry and other agricultural products, Aquor-Ornurians began crossing the Arnor River to illegally harvest Symbalian lumber. A prime target is the Leek-Leek National Forest Preserve. In the dead of night, poachers cross the river on makeshift barges or bridges, harvest what they can, and then either cross over with the timber or float it down river to be picked up at a secret point. The Anor-Ornurian government has largely turned a blind eye to the situation even when Symbalia formerly protests at the UN.

Symbalia has been actively countering the timber poachers and for the most part have been successful. A combination of forest ranger units, ground surveillance radar, and arial reconnaissance using drones and aircraft have made a big dent in the illegal lumber trade.  Nonetheless, the lure of rare, expensive types of wood sees Aquor-Ornurians still attempting to cross the river and harvest timber.

Buildup and Crisis

In the past six months, the lumber poachers have become more aggressive in their logging. Loggers have been arming themselves. There have been minor skirmishes between the armed poachers and park rangers. No casualties have occurred and the poachers fled or were captured. Several drones were shot at along the river and one was shot down. Symbalia changed tactics by more aggressive interdiction of poachers before they crossed the river. This was accomplished by armed patrol aircraft buzzing (but not shooting at) the poachers barges and bridges. This had the desired effect of the poachers abandoning their barges or bridge. Bridges were then demolished by rangers on the bank of the river. 

On the early morning of May 6th, a drone observed vehicles on a makeshift bridge hauling lumber across the river into Aquor-Ornur. Poorly hidden on the bank of the river appeared to be an anti-aircraft gun emplacement. Poachers on both sides of the river and the bridge began taking potshots at the drone. The regional head of the Symbalian forest rangers requested air support from the air force. It was granted and at 8:00 am, an EMB-314 Super Tucano armed with two 250 lbs bombs in addition to its machine guns took off. The Super Turcano approached from the south:

EMB-314: This is Slow Rooster to base, Slow Rooster to base. We are approaching from the south along the river at altitude of 800 m and have sighted the bridge 1.5 Km away. Permission to reduce altitude to preform a flyby.

HQ: Permission granted Slow Rooster. Warning, possible AA emplacement on west bank of river.

EMB-314: Roger that, adjusting altitude and reducing speed for run.

EMB-314: Executing flyby...(moments later) HQ! HQ! We are taking fire from the bridge and bank! Permission to engage hostiles!

HQ (after a minute pause): permission granted!

A twin 20mm AA gun fired at the airplane along with a number of armed poachers. The aircraft took minor damage, but none that affected performance. The Super Tucano passed over the bridge, turned 180 degrees, and fired its machine guns at the bridge hitting a truck and three poachers on the bridge. Drivers and other poachers on the bridge scurried off the bridge or dived into the water. The AA gunners abandoned their position, but some poachers on the river bank continued to fire at the plane, again putting some more holes into it. The Super Tucano climbed to a higher altitude and made a second run, this time releasing one of the bombs as it passed over the bridge. The bomb missed the bridge but exploded close enough to destroy it carrying three trucks loaded with lumber down into the river with it. The Super Tucano flew back to base and the loitering drone showed poachers swimming across the river or being picked up by rangers on the Symbalia side. About eight poachers died and 10 were taken into custody by Symbalian rangers. 

Symbalia ordered an investigation into the affair and found that the flight crew were justified in the actions they took, though they were cited for not asking permission to bomb the bridge. They included both cockpit and drone video, as well as photos of the damage taken to the airplane to back up their assessment. They did offer compensation to the victims, but delivered a stern warning that future engagements with armed poachers would be met with deadly force. 

This crisis was just what the military government of Aquor-Ornur needed to distract the populace from their promise of free elections and the return of civilian rule. Condemnation by Aquor-Ornur was swift and vocal. They were outraged by the death of its citizens and played up the fact that these were impoverished men forced into illegal logging. The delegate from Aquor-Ornur heatedly accused Symbalia of war crimes at the UN General Assembly. 

Implications

As stated in a previous post, Aquor-Ornur has been building up and modernizing its armed forces. Tension remain high between the two nations, however, Symbalia currently has most of its forces along the border with Bovatopia. On the eve of conflict between Bovatopia and an alliance of Lavonia, Symbalia, and the island nation of Kopitapai, the ambassador of Bovatopia has a meeting with the members of the top generals of Aquor-Ornur who rule the nation...