Rasvidi Annexes Plot 35

The government of Rasvidi today announced it's intent to annex and occupy the islands west of Hijjma. The large forests of rubber plants on the islands make it a preferable target for colonization, potentially boosting Rasvidi's already impressive rubber production. The islands are expected to contain almost twice the biomass of rubber plants then the Rasvidi Islands, and would give the country a near monopolistic edge in the rubber market. The government has insisted that this move is not political, despite the proximity of the islands to Hijjma, where Rasvidi once held territorial interest. It has argued, however, that it never held such interests and the purpose for the Hijjman War was not territorial or resource control but to prevent enemy powers from dominating the economy. Demonstrations have broken out in support of such efforts, with demonstrators praising the government's initiative.

The islands are not completely unoccupied, with some villages of natives living on the island being controlled or influenced by Hijjma nationalists that fled Hijjma during the war. The islands, called "Hafeet Alaal" by the natives, have been used as a safe haven to start a new life for the exiles. The Rasvidi military has mobilized and dispatched a small force of roughly 250 soldiers to land on the islands and offer peace to the exiles and local elders. There are an estimated 1,500 natives living on the islands. Fighting is not expected to break out.

It has yet to be seen if the GWA will interfere with colonization efforts.

Due to the land's effectiveness in the naval fields, Oscalantine has been utilizing its land for temporary naval bases on many occasions. Therefore, there is some residual naval base, especially to the southern islands of Plot 35. Although Oscalantine did not officially take this island, there are still naval bases and docking stations in the islands that will need to be evacuated.

Oscalantine has expressed that they favor Rasvidi's takeover of the island, and wish to discuss the retreat or agreement of establishment of naval bases in the island. Oscalantine has also made an official statement that Oscalantine will assist in developing the island, as it is beneficial to Oscalantine to have an EU-based settlement near Oscalantine to bolster its trade relations with the EU.

Oscalantine has made statement that they are willing to discuss this as part of the agenda in Ulyanovsk Summit in the future. Meanwhile, Oscalantine has agreed to let the settlers pass into the island as well as retreating its forces northward. However, due to the delicate situation with King Isaac, Oscalantine stated that they will still linger in the coastlines of Plot 35 in order to keep an eye out for KingIsaac's potential offensive. Oscalantine will fully retreat from Plot 35 as well as its territorial waters as soon as the defenses in plot 28 are sufficient enough to withstand the offensive by KingIsaac.

Gracealona is prepared to offer any support requested to it's EU ally Rasvidi large or small. If it is required we ask that you contact us with what you need.

the Royal Government of New Numair says that the Royal Defense Force will not interfere in Rasvidi's expansion

Brief fighting broke out between a coastal village and Rasvidi forces after a prominent Hijjma exile spotted the Rasvidi flag. After roughly 45 minutes of conflict, leaving 17 natives dead, dialogue was opened with the exile, who had been leading the village. The conflict ended shortly after the negotiations, when it was established that the Rasvidi forces were not there to detain him or kill him.

After troops landed on the islands, peaceful negotiations began to be entered into with the local tribes and villages. It is expected these negotiations will be completed sometime next week, as the government of Rasvidi plots out how to proceed with colonization and how they will govern the islands based on talks with local leaders. Roughly 10,000 citizens have already volunteered for population of the islands.

A temporary military outpost has been established in the village where conflict took place, and more troops and supplies are being shipped to the village. A small port is being constructed on the village's shore.

Rasvidi has agreed to set up Hafeet Alaal as a semi-autonomous territory within Rasvidi, allowing it it's own legislature and government structure. It will be governed according to tribal customs, with a Sultan to head the local government. Religion, however, will be strictly forbidden from politics as it is in Rasvidi. Military, defense and foreign relations will be handled by Rasvidi.

Colonists are expected to be shipped to the archipelago in the near future, with nearly 25,000 expected to make the islands their new home by the end of the colonization program. Rubber plantations are being set up, and the city of Naraal is being developed with a port to serve the region. It has also been rumored that long range missiles are being shipped to the islands, but the government has denied this.

In accordance with language laws, local names and city names have been Saamicized. The territory is officially called Haveet Alål, and the main city Naraalov.