At What Cost?
LAOS - After nearly a month of fighting, the Eastern Federation reports the Kampuchean government has fallen.
Weeks ago in a poorly-conceived move, Democratic Kampuchea declared "war on the world", likely as a publicity stunt, probably thinking such a bold move by such a small country would go largely unnoticed.
It
was noticed.
A joint response by the Eastern Federation and New Hetmanate used Kampuchea's act of war as an excuse to remove a government that brazenly abused its citizenry, a democracy only in name. The underequipped and demoralized Kampuchean army quickly lost forward momentum and the battle became purely defensive. But while the coalition ultimately emerged triumphant, the question remains: at what cost?
Allied in purpose, if working independently, both armies aimed for a fast campaign to minimize casualties, but Kampuchean suicide squads and harsh jungle warfare obstructed their strategy, dragging out the war. The final battles were especially difficult, as Kampuchean officers began throwing civilian militias against the advancing armies, leading the coalition to abandon some fronts altogether.
With the Pol Pot dictatorship removed from power, the Federation's focus is to repair the damage. Considering the extent of abuse, the healing process could take years.