Two proud nations, one oil rich desert, one very old conflict...
April 1919: Mazadran Desert
During an expedition hosted by the Amir of Dhimar, geologists from the Northern
Oil Company discover oil leaking to the surface in a place called the Valley of
Kerman. It is desolate landscape in the Al'Samara region lying very near the
eastern border of the Kingdom of Dhimar and the western border of the Empire of
Paran. This border region has always been in dispute, and the Amir claims the
inhospitable region as a territory of Dhimar, beginning drilling operations
with Western-backed capital.
August 1919: Mazadran Desert
The Shah of Paran disputes the Dhimari claim to the newly discovered Mazadran
Oil Fields. Shah Mushani sends Parani cavalry cross the rocky sands of the
Mazadran Desert and, after fierce fighting, the battle for the Valley of Kerman
ends with the retreat of the Parani army. It marks the beginning of a long
conflict between the two nations.
September 1933: Mazadran Desert
After over a decade of fighting, Shah Mushani has grown old and no longer has
the will to continue the long-running and unsuccessful war against Dhimar. Over
the years, numerous attempts have been made to claim the Mazadran Oil Fields
though none have been successful. The entrenched Dhimari, the rugged Valley of
Kerman, and the desert itself have kept victory from Paran. The Mazadran Oil
Field war gradually slows, then stops, resulting in an uneasy peace.
December 1956: Mazadran Desert
The Kingdom of Dhimar has grown to become a very wealthy and economically
powerful nation by selling the oil produced at the Mazadran Oil Fields. There
is an increasing feeling of resentment in the Empire of Paran against Dhimar
because of the economic disparity between the two neighboring nations.
February 1957: Kurzah, Paran
Pro-reclamation forces led by Halani Komar, and backed by a powerful
benefactor, the Soviet Union, successfully stage a bloody coup against the
Mushani regime. Once in power, Shah Komar begins secretly building up military
forces, using the newest and best Soviet hardware that he is permitted to buy.
His goal is to return the Empire of Paran to its former glory by defeating its
longtime enemy, the Dhimari, and to reclaim the Mazadran Oil Fields.
September 1957: Muthala, Dhimar
King Husani Al'Galbhi of Dhimar watches with growing concern as reports come in
of brand new MiG-17 jet fighters, IL-28 bombers, T-54 tanks and BTR-50 armored
personnel carriers seen at new military bases throughout Paran. Tensions
increase as Husani approaches the United States for military assistance, and
begins to place F-100 jet fighters and M-48 tanks into service to counter the
threat.
May 1959: Mosak, Dhimar
Two years of increasing tensions between Paran and Dhimar have culminated in
terrorist bombings in the border city of Mosak, located in the Basari River
delta. War appears imminent, as Parani forces mass near the border at Maqazad
and Riqdur.
June 1959: Mosak, Dhimar
Mosak has been subjected to a blockade by Parani naval forces. Paran now claims
ownership of the entire Bay of Basari, and has stopped all Dhimari shipping
into and out of Mosak.
June 1959: Muthala, Dhimar
Prince Fa'ad of Dhimar, realizing that their armed forces are still under
manned and under equipped, recommends King Husani to institute an emergency
buildup of air power. Intrigued and impressed by the legendary Flying Tigers of
World War II, he proceeds to form several Special Operations Wings (Mercenary),
and fills his new squadrons with foreign pilots who are willing to fly and
fight for money and glory.
July 1959: Washington, D.C.
In order to prevent the Soviet-backed Paran from gaining the strategically
important oil fields, the United States decides to dispatch military forces to
assist Dhimar in the current crisis. The USS Saratoga heads for the region and
a squadron of A-4 Skyhawks lands to take up temporary duty at Shaqaz, Dhimar.
Meanwhile, F-100 Super Sabres of the 354thTFW, USAF arrive at Muthala, Dhimar,
to take a defensive position there.
September 1959: Mazadran Oil Field
Large formations of Parani tanks are seen crossing the Al'Samara River and
heading towards the Valley of Kerman and the industrial oil center at Al'Qatan.
War has returned to the desert...
War in the desert continues...
Operation Quick Sand
December 1966:
For years, U.N.-backed ceasefire has kept the peace between Empire of Paran and
Kingdom of Dhimar. Shah Komar of Paran spent these years secretly rebuilding
his military and meticulously planning revenge against Dhimar. His deceptive
measures to hide his activities were successful, and he catches U.N. and
Dhimari forces by surprise when he launches his well-planned attacks. U.S.
reacts swiftly, deploying units to defend the Kingdom.
Operation Rattle Snake
August 1968:
Despite the U.N. backed ceasefire, Empire of Paran continues to support
terrorists engaged in guerrilla warfare against Kingdom of Dhimar. In response
to repeated guerrilla attacks, Dhimari aircraft violates Parani airspace and
destroy terrorist camps just across the border. Paran retaliates with intense
artillery fire against Dhimari positions. The exchange escalates into a
full-scale war, and U.S. once again deploys units to defend the Kingdom.
Operation Desert Thunder
October 1972:
After years of uneasy truce and massive troop buildup on both sides, hostility
between the Empire of Paran and Kingdom of Dhimar reaches a fever pitch. Once
again, war appears imminent. Shah Komar of Paran expels U.N. peacekeeping force
from the region, closes the ports of Mosak to Dhimari shipping, and masses his
troops at the border. In response, King Husani of Dhimar, with support of the
United States, makes a bold move: a pre-emptive strike.
Operation Desert Fury
June 1975:
Despite the U.N.-backed ceasefire, tension continues to rise between Empire of
Paran and Kingdom of Dhimar. Crisis in other parts of Middle East sends oil
price soaring, further deepening the economic divide between the two countries.
While petro-dollars pour into oil-rich Dhimar, Paranian economy is on the blink
of collapse. Paran's military command, with its oil reserves dwindling fast,
sees invasion of Dhimar as the only option for its survival.
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