PEACE TALKS OVER SKOZISTAN CONFLICT STALLING
Bern, Switzerland - Talks between diplomats of the small Middle Eastern nation of Skozistan and NATO representatives have thus far made little headway. Key to the talks has been the lack of agreement over neutral mediators and the perceived lack of real control exhibited by the recognized government of Skozistan over both its army and the insurgent forces fighting against western military forces operating in the more rural North of the country. These insurgents are known to be aligned with or directly controlled by the Taliban or Al Qaeda. Skozistan claims that it has no agreements with terrorists, contrary to NATO's claims of Skozistan's support for the Taliban and Al Qaeda.
The talks are thus far being mediated by the Peoples Republic of China and Iran. NATO representatives claim that Iran and China are not fair mediators but Skozistan claimed it would not agree to talks without Iran acting as mediator. The Iranian foreign ministry has made a statement that it would: "Act to the best of its ability to live up to the standard of a neutral third party mediator in the gross violation of Skozistani sovereignty." NATO representatives claim any talks will be meaningless so long as Iran is involved without NATO being given a choice of mediator as well. But Skozistan has refused all candidates put forward.
In Skozistan itself however the peace talks have had little impact, ISIS insurgents continue to fight the government and in the North insurgents and the FSKA (Skozistan's Army) have continued their losing fight against NATO forces, most of them American. FSKA units had attempted to establish a defensive line north of their capital, but that line was said to be shattered when American units seized the crucial strongpoint of Mikis with few casualties, compared to heavy losses of personnel and equipment to the defenders. Operations have also seen the FSKA's forces' primary field commander killed in a night-time ambush to prevent what NATO claims to be an attempt to establish an alliance with Taliban and Al Qaeda forces against the NATO forces. The FSKA is said, by local sources, to be retreating south towards their last remaining bastion at the capital.
Right now the FSKA and Skozistani government are believed to be on the verge of disaster. The peace talks are their only hope of retaining control, experts state that if combat operations continue the FSKA will come apart and ISIS will move into the capital, where a depot of military equipment and a military air base that is believed to have some fixed wing jet aircraft and helicopters as well as a civilian terminal that is still currently operating with small local airlines. Anti-terror experts warn that if ISIS moves in they'll be able to seize these aircraft and potentially use the small civilian aircraft to transport terrorists across the region as far as India and Turkey.
SKOZISTAN ON BRINK OF CATASTROPHE
Sources within the Skozistani government have claimed that if NATO forces continue their invasion disaster will befall the small Middle Eastern nation as ISIS grows in strength and pushes to seize control of the nation's second largest city and the military arsenal and airport in it. Their forces are said to be: "On the brink of near total collapse. For every conscript sent to the front another is either killed by the Americans or desserts to the insurgents or the terrorists, taking with them weapons, equipment, and training desperately needed for the defense of the republic. Soon we will be out of conscripts, but we will continue losing soldiers."
Experts state that if Skozistan's legitimate government falls that it will turn the country into the same chaotic failed state as Somalia and become a haven of terrorists dangerously close to every major world power's borders. The greatest fear is that ISIS will move into the void, taking over the remnants of the army's arsenals and absorb many of the soldiers in its ranks. What's worse is that Skozistan has recently taken delivery of eight Su-25 "Frogfoot" Ground Attack Aircraft and maintains an arsenal of at least a dozen Mi-8 "Hip" Transport Helicopters and just as many Mi-34 "Hind" Attack Helicopters, leftovers from a Soviet unit based in Skozistan and maintained by the Skozistanis. Many are not believed to be operational due to years of neglect. The loyalties of the pilots for these aircraft is believed to be in question, as they have not yet been allowed to take off to challenge the NATO forces pushing closer to their own base. Although some believe that the reason for their inactivity is a lack of aviation fuel.
The FSKA is currently said to be retreating to form a defensive barrier with their remaining forces and defend against a looming ISIS offensive against the capital from both the east and west after being beaten back by NATO forces in the north of the country. The military's current statement is that they hope peace talks can occur so that both NATO and the FSKA can focus upon the rising power of the ISIS terrorists streaming into the country. However the government's official position is that the United States is responsible for the entry of ISIS terrorists to provide a pretext for a military invasion. This is also the line adopted by Iran, Pakistan, Syria, and Russia. China has thus far not made an official position.
These published documents are the fictional works of the S-2 Intelligence Team of the 506th IR Realism Unit
