Post by The Eshva on Oct 25, 2020 4:44:38 GMT
the Arashin Free Army
The so-called "Black-star Flag", used by the Arashin Free Army following the fall of Ishkot early in the war. Now used to represent those killed in the "Ishkot Massacres" that followed the occupation by Ardian Forces.
The so-called "Black-star Flag", used by the Arashin Free Army following the fall of Ishkot early in the war. Now used to represent those killed in the "Ishkot Massacres" that followed the occupation by Ardian Forces.
The "Arashin Free Army" was the dominant resistance-movement in occupied territories of Ikhan during the so-called "Continuation War" (1939 - 1945). It originated among the disparate militia-groups in Ardian-occupied territories of Ikhan early in 1941, which sought the liberation of said lands. For five years, it operated primarily in the countryside of Ikhan, largely in coastal regions of Vrashe and Hashtai, as well as in Rusan and Lekhai (where it was referred to as the "Ikhani Free Army" instead due to the large number of locals who served in it). It's allegiance was to the Empire of Ikhan, though it was largely opposed to the Ikirist regime that ruled the nation at the time(although it did not take military action against government forces). The Free Army sabotaged Ardian (and Ardian-allied) operations such as transports heading for the Kairani front, tying down Ardian forces and destroying their supplies. It also fought several large-scale battles against Ardian forces during the war, including the Battle of Etil-Katsa in 1942 and the Ishkot Uprising in 1944 (which it is most known for), as well as participating in Operation Nikai in 1943 and 1944 within the region of Rusan. The Free Army was also known for lesser acts, such as protecting Arashin citizens against atrocities perpetrated by Nirai and Avosai Ardian collaborators.
Because of the Free Army's opposition to the Ikirist regime, the Marshal's government saw it as an obstacle for it's maintained grasp on power. Consequently, over the course of the war, conflict grew between the Free Army and Government forces. The Free Army was disbanded in May of 1944, after the Imperial Army had cleared the Ikhani territory of Ardian Forces. Following the war, the official propaganda line in Ikirist Ikhan was that the Free Army was an insurgent group that sought the overthrow of the government and the instatement of a communist regime between 1945 and the 1950s. During that time, thousands of former Free Army operatives were arrested and others, including a number of senior commanders, were executed. Following the fall of the Ikirist regime and restoration of democracy in the 1950s, the Free Army was rehabilitated, with their sacrifices now being commemorated on the 17th of May, known as "Free Forces Day" in Ikhan.