CASUALTIES OF WAR
International Times - Dateline 27 June 2016
Michael Henery and his best friend Oliver Townsend
It's a sad day for the international community, as we receive word of eight innocent people who were killed last week, during the conflict in Erzikistan. Seven local Erzikistani civilians, as well as Michael Henry, an international reporter from the United Kingdom, are all dead. Reports from the battle are unclear as to whether it was U.S. forces or E.R. forces who caused the casualties. Mortar fire in the nearby area from U.S. forces or explosive 40mm fire from the defending E.R. forces could both be the culprits of this event. In either case, the sad fact remains that eight innocents are now dead because of the conflict. The U.S. State Department issued an official statement saying:
U.S. forces in the region will be under strict orders to make sure that nothing like this ever happens again. The situation is being looked into to determine if U.S. soldiers are responsible for these deaths, however, whether the U.S. is responsible or not, all parties involved in the conflict should take extra precautionary measures to ensure that innocents are kept out of the crossfire.
The Grand Council of the E.R. also issued an official statement in regards to the casulties:
The Erzikistan Republic, under no circumstances, will ever intentionally kill our own civilians. We will be looking into the incident, and if any of our forces are found guilty, they will be severely punished. We will be issuing instructions to our forces to be more careful when innocents are present to try and prevent any further losses of innocent life.
It seems that this loss has hit both sides rather hard, and that both groups will be making increased efforts toward the protection and preservation of civilian life.
Michael Henry, as captured from a U.S. infantryman's helmet camera
Michael Henry was born in Wales on July 12, 1989. This 26 year old reporter had been with the UBC for six years before volunteering to be sent to the Erzikistan conflict as a reporter. Throughout his life Michael had always been driven towards looking for the truth. This desire is what led him to become a reporter for the UBC. He wanted to go places and see things so that he could tell the people back home what was really happening.
Two months ago, just before being flown out to Erzikistan, Michael proposed to his girlfriend Lilly Hutchinson. Through her tears, she said "yes" and the happy couple was to be married in October this fall. This conflict has now robbed Lilly of her future with Michael, and the family and memories they could have had together.
When U.S. forces arrived on scene, they quickly tried to save whoever they could, but for Michael, it was too late. His left hand had been completely blown off, and the rest of his left side had severe shrapnel and burn damage. Medics pronounced him dead on scene. He was later MEDEVAC-ed out by U.S. forces and will be transported back to Wales for his funeral and burial.
Our hearts and prayers go out to Lilly, the Henry family, and the seven other families who were robbed of their loved ones. For them, this conflict is no longer worth it. From us at the International Times, all we can say is "We're sorry."
Alan White - International Times
*This news report is a fictional work to support the 506th ARMA gameplay
