After the recent operations conducted by US troops in Erzikistan, there has been public outrage and dispute over the US military’s alleged harassment of civilians in the region. This harassment has been cited, by the local populous, as an “infringement of the most basic human rights and decency.” The local populous has used these allegatiions to justify an already increasing armed resistance.
The inconclusive statements of the US military offending Erzikistani culture have not overturned the importance of this deployment in attempting to bring Erzikistan back to a prosperous country. US military intervention as has been backed, by a large part of the international community, in the hope of returning Erzikistan to its former glory as a thriving Democratic government.
A panoramic shot of the rolling hills surrounded by lush vegetation in ErzikistanDue to the armed clashes with the US military and the Erzikistanian Republic, many find themselves in a position of weakness. A minority of the populace, who have not wished to join in the conflict, have continued their normal lives despite the ongoing conflict. They acknowledge the current events that have occurred but wish to ignore the fighting and simply continue on with their occupations. Hunters, who are the traditional workforce, are usually caught in the midst of the confrontation as having to be identified as either friend or foe, which unknowingly puts them in the crosshairs of military personnel.
An Erzikistani hunter stated:
“It’s emotionally exhausting. I never know if I will return home after going on a hunting trip with my son. My wife begs us to move to a city but the ongoing conflict prevents us from doing so.
Everyday's a struggle to survive, but I have to provide for my family regardless of events. I pray that this will all end soon and we can return safely to our normal lives.”
A local Erzikistani hunter guards his propertyThough a majority of the country rallies around the Erzikistanian Republic, people and families want to brush aside the conflict and focus on their day-to-day survival.
We will keep on providing updates as events progress.
Salvador Garcia - International Times, Erzikistan*This news report is a work of fiction to support the 506th ARMA gameplay*