Firebombing of Noshkolm

The Firebombing of Noshkolm took place in the early morning of March 25th, when a contingent of several planes began dropping ordinance on the city, initially killing upwards of 117,300. The attack was officially blamed equally on Vandurc Zalt Aktuli Straatos (VZAS), a Vandiino nationalist organization, and the Xilimandang (XLMD). The central areas of the city were completely destroyed.
== Background ==
The attacks were preceded by a longtime alleged dispute between Souf, the largest investor in Noshkolm, and Xiliman, Prime Minister of Vandistan. This has been cited as a motivation for the attack, given that the attacks involved several economic and personal attacks at Souf. Souf was also a direct competitor to the newly acquired Sanma Bank.
Leading up to the attack, Noshkolm had been in poor condition for several years. Cartels were incredibly active in the city, and infrastructure was poorly built, resulting in the totality of the bombing.
== Attacks ==
In the morning of March 25h, several military planes flew from the northeast and began dropping ordinance on Noshkolm. They deliberately targeted assets controlled by Soufshire Hathaway, however eventually started bombing indiscriminately. The planes in question sported the flag of VZAS plastered on their wings, appearing to be painted over government insignia. 
In the rubble was found the Youkoudu Letter, a piece of paper reading “哈哈英寇我燃烧弹了你的城市”. The Xilimandang decried this as a plant, while Anti-Xili individuals cited it as proof of XLMD involvement. The bombings were immediately followed by a ground invasion by the Golden Horde PMC, personally hired by Xiliman. Under the guise of "crushing separatists", the Golden Horde swept through the city, attacking cartel members and seizing their headquarters with heavy bloodshed. In response to the arrival of forces from the Golden Horde, 700 Islamic Guard Militants arrived from Bjarkbalai to protect and rescue Muslim survivors from the ruins. No conflict ensued between the Islamic Guard and the Golden Horde PMC. 
At least 117,300 people died in the bombings, with 16,689 dying in ensuing violence. This, and the subsequent demolition of ruined structures, effectively destroyed the entire infrastructure of the city.
== Aftermath ==
With the conclusion of violence and the March 2023 Prime Minister Election, leadership of the city was claimed by Prime Minister-elect Nuklear, who ordered for the demolition of the remains of the city's downtown and its full reconstruction. The city was informally renamed Nukskolm after Nuklear himself, and the Rebuild Noshkolm, Destroy Bandits! campaign began in an effort to restore peace to the city. The Xilimandang heavily funded the city's reconstruction with alleged support from the People's Republic of China, and the sponsored Leizhou Expeditionary Construction Team proclaimed that "To rebuild Noshkolm is a patriotic action". 
With extreme losses and risk of financial ruin, Soufshire Hathaway's assets in Noshkolm were relocated to Leninshtatt in the Fudzhi Metropolitan Area. In response to the attack on the city of Noshkolm, Souf appeared unfazed, commenting that "It is for the best". Several days afterward, Xiliman and Souf personally reconciled, promising to no longer interfere with each others assets. 
=== The Noshkolm Case ===
In a trial known as the Noshkolm Case, the Xilimandang and VZAS were both found guilty for involvement in the attack, and former Prime Minister Xiliman and all members of VZAS were convicted of conspiracy to murder on 15 June, 2023. During the trial, an investigation found proof in government documents that the XLMD was in possession of aircraft, while VZAS was not. Despite this, all members of VZAS were imprisoned, though pardoned shortly after and confirmed innocent 10 months later by the Noshkolm Amnesty Act of the Tenth Parliament. Due to their imprisonment, VZAS effectively ceased to exist as an organization. In retaliation to Xiliman's conviction, the Xilimandang set fire to the High Court of Vandistan and the XLMD-ruled city of Leizhou entered into a period of open rebellion referred to as Black June. Peace was not restored in the city and the surrounding neighborhoods until several days later, and Leizhou remained unstable until the deportation of Xiliman and eventual collapse of the Xilimandang on 19 July, 2023.
Category:Events