Ismali Republic of Libertais News
LIBERTAIS DAILY PRAYER
BREAKING NEWS
BOMBING IN KANDUZ
Earlier today there was a series of bombings in the nations capital. At approximately 9:12am today, two explosions thundered through the city, sending shock waves throughout the nation. The first target was the National Bank of Libertais. It is currently believed that a garbage truck was stolen in previous weeks, and customised to instead hold a large amount of explosives. Luckily, it proved insufficient to serously damage the building, with only minor surface damage to the Bank's marble facade. Three individuals died, including one Bank security guard.
The second explosion targeted the Northern Hira market, and detonated at roughly the same time as the National Bank bombing. This explosion was deployed, it is currently believed, through three individuals wearing suicide jackets, made up largely of plastic explosives. The current death toll of this bombing is unknown, but believed to be currently 89, including 8 children. Over two hundred individuals are currently in critical condition. It is thought that the early morning chosen would be at the market's busiest.
Shortly after the bombing, the Mahdi-Isfah (meaning "The Chosen of God") claimed responsibility for the attack. In the video released to the public, they claimed to wish to "drive out foreign influence" in Libertais and restore "order, prosperity and piety" to the enslaved of Libertais. They claim that only through force can order be established, and have declared "war" on the Libertainian government. The Libertainian Government, in turn, has not recognised this "rival" state, and instead has called the group a sect of radical Ismalian terrorists, and has sworn to bring those who have acted against the populace to justice.
The Mahdi-Isfah currently control roughly 1/3 of Libertais, in borders established in the 1989 Libertais Unity Treaty, following insurrection that occurred in the 80s that rocked the nation. It was believed that, through negotiation, underlying religious and ethic tensions that had caused the first spark could be suppressed, but this morning has eroded any belief in the ideal.
Despite the large amount of land controlled by the Mahdi-Isfah, much of the land is patchwork, mostly concentrated in three large, but mostly disconnected, clustered in the nations North and East. The Isfahian military, while under-funded in recent years, remains far larger in numbers than the Mahdi-Isfah, though lacking in the dedication compared to their radical counterpart. Rumours additionally persist that the Mahdi-Isfah are actively sponsoring and supporting the Heroin trade, in order to increase both funds and gain international contacts.
CURRENT EVENTS
President Amanullah Khan has recently cancelled an appearance at the Kanduz opera, which was set to open next week. Citing the developments internally, he has announced his intention to visit Juyipia on official state business, likely in an attempt to drum up support for foreign aid. Opposition members have called into question the need or want to leave the country during this critical time, but President Khan has restated the need for foreign support in order to come through this crisis. Juyipia has previously demonstrated a mixed relationship with Libertais, as whilst the two maintain strong economic ties, politically they continue to remain divided. It is possible some concessions on behalf of President Khan may be enacted, in order to gain the desired assistance.
ECONOMY
OilThe discovery of a new oil field in the nations west has caused some government officials to celebrate. The new fields are valued at approximately 20,000 million barrels, a significant boost to the already large proven reserves of the nation. Especially critical is their location, not far from the border with Juyipia. If tapped, this could allow quick and easy transportation to the busy ports of Juyipia, allowing the reserves to be sold internationally at low cost. Whilst oil consumption globally has been only increasing slowly, an increase in production could help with the nations budget deficits.
Illegal ActivitiesThe large opium trade continues to plague the nations economy, with recent figures estimating that the cultivation of the poppy and production of heroin would, if counted in government figures, constitute an additional 25% GDP rise. The dangerous drug, often cultivated in the northern plains, is nearly entirely produced for foreign consumption. It leaves Libertais through two main avenues; either through the Port of Ashmiz, where corruption allows for bribery of Port officials to allow the drug to enter the global market, or through land based transport, largely through Juyipia. Despite Libertainian government officials condemning the practise, Heroin and the production of Heroin remain legal in Juyipia, and thus easy to transport through customs or through scarcely defended borderlands.
CurrencyToday the Libertaisi fell 46%, currently being valued at Rokkenjima Ducat 1-75. The current instability, coupling with previous fluctuations, has many abandoning the use of the currency in non-official transactions. It is estimated that, prior to today, roughly 8% of all transactions are used in foreign currencies, primarily the Rokkenjima Ducat or the Tytorian crown, who's comparable stability draws those who are adverse to instability or wish to diversify their savings.
SPORTS
Results and future fixtures of sports listed below:
Kanduz Football Team vs Ashmiz United - Cancelled
Kanduz Horse Racing Cup - Cancelled
Kanduz Millennium Stadium UFC Fight - Cancelled, relocated to New Juyip City
Ashmiz Women's National Water Polo Semifinal - Cancelled
Ashmiz Golf League Finals - Cancelled
