Battle of Tucson
The Battle of Tucson was a fight that took place on April 9-11, 2025 in the self-blockaded city of Tucson, Coconino County, Xarslasja, as a part of the Gu Sabah Insurgency.
Background
Main article: Gu Sabah Insurgency
After the Coup Sabah, Coconino County entered full-on rebellion against the nation of Xarslasja, refusing to follow their laws, vote in their Legislature, or follow the orders to arrest supporters of Gu Sabah. After the newly-formed Xarslasja Terrestrial Army invaded and occupied Flagstaff to facilitate the construction of a new CenRail Station, supporters of the rebellious Xarslasja Port Authority moved to Tucson and allowed Gu Sabah and his fellow rebels to establish a headquarters there.
In January, the XTA and XPA fought briefly in Tucson, after which Gu Sabah ordered the entire city fortified. Walls and battle mounts were constructed around the city, and transport was only allowed to be carried out to La Paz County's islands.
In February, reports began to come out that XPA forces were seen on the West Puan side of the Oak River. At the end of March, this dynamic became more complicated after the Repunification. A unified Pua had no official support for Gu Sabah whatsoever, leaving him essentially alone on the geopolitical stage. This created the perfect conditions for a coalition of allies to prepare to attack Tucson again.
The Battle (April 9th)
On April 9th, 2025, the XTA constructed TNT cannons to the east of the city. In response, Gu Sabah blew up the road connecting Tucson to Flagstaff, installed landmines throughout the countryside, and planted berry bushes around the city.
Imerchal brought 13 ships to one mouth of the Oak River, and Kyaw Cen (Monke Island) brought several more to the other mouth of the river.
The Xarslasja Royal Navy sent a fleet of simple boats to Bar Harbor, and found the island completely empty and undefended.
Fighting broke out when the XTA launched TNT at the barrier wall of the city. After this, a smattering of bombs were launched and fires were lit. As it turned out, Gu Sabah himself was in Tucson, in the flesh. He began fighting troops from Hummland and Imerchal. It soon became clear that the XPA had EXTREMELY limited resources, losing ground rapidly, with several casualties. The XPA successfully sank about 3 Imerchal ships, but after this there was no possibility of victory.
Finally, Gu Sabah had no choice but to retreat to one of several underground bunkers. The surface of Tucson was taken by the Coalition forces, and thus was a decisive victory for Agamashuya I and his allies.
Plans emerged to take on the final underground safe havens for Sabah and his supporters.
Interim (April 10th)
The following day was relatively quiet. A few instances of looting were reported in Tucson, and the island of Bar Harbor was officially retaken by Xarslasja. Gu Sabah's former headquarters in Tucson was burnt severely. The Puan Camel Corps arrived on the Puan side of the Oak River at the behest of Peaches.
The XTA began a search through the forests of Coconino County to find Gu Sabah's underground hiding spot. Finally, information got out that his tunnel was located somewhere to the east of Naco.
The Apprehension of Gu Sabah (April 11th)
On April 11th, Agamashuya met with the leaders of Pua and Latium Regnatum to track down and enter the cave of Gu Sabah.
The tunnel was discovered on a hillside just east of the road between Tucson and the Tach3on Site. It led to a deep cavern that had been converted into an underground lair of sorts, with an office that had been well set up for Gu Sabah's personal use.
Only a few of his supporters remained, and Gu Sabah had barely any armor an only a hoe as a weapon. He was severely beaten, and apprehended. By this point, plans were already in motion for a public execution to end Gu Sabah's reign of terror once and for all.
Aftermath
While the islands of Xar Harbor and Far Harbor were still yet to be reclaimed, the Xarslasja Port Authority now had no leadership. Gu Sabah's second-in-command, Ngu (slave to creativity), made an attempt to escape the tunnel with TNT but was killed in the blast. The reconquest of all of La Paz County now seemed inevitable.
The Legislature announced plans to reincorporate the La Paz County seat after the execution of Gu Sabah. Coconino County would still need to remained under military occupation for some time, just in case. This lack of resistance opened up the opportunity for the Thasusa By Land Initiative and other federal projects to resume progress in the formerly-rebel-held territory, though.