Laeralsford: The Xiomeran Empire is making rapid moves to militarize and consolidate power in areas under its control in western Taragai, alleges a new report from Crisis Watch International (CWI). The 33-page preliminary report, released today by the Laeralsford-based nonprofit, accuses Xiomeran soldiers of fortifying territory in western Taragai while forcefully suppressing local opposition.
“Xiomera’s Empress Calhualyana has announced her plans to colonize regions of the Republic of Taragai, in blatant violation of international law and the principle of self-determination,” said Dr. Edwina Kevaliyan, Crisis Watch International’s president. “Now, Crisis Watch’s research proves that Calhualyana’s regime has followed up on this threat by moving troops, settlers, and military equipment into western Taragai, while denying the fundamental rights of Taragaians in regions under Xiomeran occupation.”
The 33-page preliminary report, titled Repressive and Unlawful: Xiomera’s Occupation of Western Taragai, was the product of weeks of research by CWI analysts, as well as testimony and footage from eyewitnesses within occupied regions of Taragai and open-source satellite images. The report details the large-scale movement of Xiomeran soldiers and military and construction equipment, followed by civilian settlers. The report also documents “systemic and arbitrary” abuses against Taragaian civilians by Xiomeran forces, including murder, theft, and extrajudicial detention.
“Xiomeran forces in Taragai have seized control of manufacturing and mining facilities through force, while detaining or executing Taragaian civilians,” said Dr. Kevaliyan. “We call upon the Xiomeran government to immediately cease its violations of international humanitarian law and prepare for an orderly transfer of power to local authorities in anticipation of a withdrawal from occupied Taragaian territory.”
In addition to documenting crimes against civilians, the report points to the arrival of heavy-duty construction and excavation equipment, alongside troops, armored vehicles, and missile systems, to suggest that Tlālacuetztla is preparing for a long-term occupation of western Taragai. This aligns with Calhualyana’s stated intentions of establishing an “Imperial Colony of Taragai” in areas under its control.
The Crisis Watch report will likely increase pressure on governments in Hesperida to respond forcefully to the Xiomeran invasion in Taragai. The invasion has faced widespread condemnation from the international community, which has decried Xiomera’s actions as illegal. Laeral has placed additional sanctions on Xiomera and individual Imperial officials, yet the release of the CWI report will likely increase calls for Republic House to respond forcefully. Analysts and voices in the National Assembly have warned that Xiomera’s actions in Taragai give the authoritarian nation a military foothold near Laeral for the first time.
For its part, Xiomera’s Calhualyana has dismissed international criticism, calling the allegations by Crisis Watch “completely fabricated.” A statement from the Palace of Flowers defended Xiomera’s colonial administration, calling its occupation a locally-led administration concerned with order and peaceful development.
Authorities in High Fells and in areas controlled by Taragai’s internationally-recognized government report the arrival of thousands of refugees fleeing the Xiomeran advance, as the conflict shows signs of escalating in the coming weeks.
Full text: Statement from the Palace of Flowers
“The assertions that the Imperial colonial authorities in our region of Taragai are mistreating the Taragaian people, or denying their rights, are completely fabricated. The colonial administration in our region of Taragai is led by Taragaians. Our colonial governor, Osbeg Zayaat, is a highly respected local leader from the prestigious Zayaat clan which has deep roots in western Taragai stretching back generations. His leadership seeks to restore and maintain law and order, social harmony, and progressive development while protecting the rights, privileges and prosperity of his fellow Taragaians. Any claim that our administration there is doing otherwise is fake news spread by foreign powers seeking to prevent Xiomera and Taragai alike from developing and growing into the great lands they are destined to be….
…Any actions being undertaken by Governor Zayaat’s Colonial Guards, and Imperial military forces and associated contract parties, are merely law enforcement actions to prevent terrorists and foreign sympathizers from causing unrest. We will not allow liars to mislead the world about this indisputable fact without speaking out….
…Xiomera will match any sanctions, threats or other action by interfering nations with no business in our colony blow for blow. We will back down to the nations seeking to repress us no longer.”
