| Guinea War (Donald King Timeline) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the War on Ecocentrism | |||||||
 Clockwise from Top Right: Positronium cruise missile launched during Operation Lonesome Eagle, US soldier securing a Bruce Industries mine, Urban destruction during the Battle of Coyah in 2064, American infantry ambushed with shaped-charge mortar rounds during the February Offensive, US Mechas fighting during the Battle for Nzerekore, American troops during the opening stages of the Battle of Kankan | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States of America
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 Guinea National Earth Militias
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| Strength | |||||||
| 150,000 troops at invasion;
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350,000 (militias);
45,000 (other) | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 20,015 American troops killed;
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200,000 insurgents killed;
70,000 - 140,000 civilians killed | ||||||
The Guinea War was an extensive military conflict launched by US president Donald King. The purpose of the war was essentially to protect American corporate interests in the region, particularly to re-open mines and industrial infrastructure owned by Bruce Industries. After a radical environmentalist government took hold in Guinea, bauxite and mineral mines operated by Bruce Industries were shut down. Ostensibly to defeat ecocentrist terrorists who had attacked Washington, DC during November Horror, President King ordered a ground invasion of the country. After the fall of the local government, ecocentrist militias that were established by the nation's former leader remained. The US army ended up fighting a long guerilla war with insurgent groups, until President Albert Norman had withdrawn all troops in 2069. Environmentalist groups ended up re-taking Guinea, although Bruce Industries made over 110 billion dollars from Guinean minerals during the war period.
Background
Throughout the early twenty-first century, demand for minerals and metals increased, particularly in the expanding industrial powers of India, China, and South-East Asia. Meanwhile, however, reserves of these resources were rapidly depleting. Mining corporations turned their sights to Africa, where there was a vast, relatively untapped source of mineral reserves. West Africa became particularly important to these corporate endeavors, due to its large reserves of aluminum (bauxite), rare earth metals, copper, iron ore, and energy resources like oil and uranium. Bruce Industries established a monopoly in this area, making vast amounts of profit selling these resources to the growing, hungry developing nations of Asia.
Meanwhile, however, there was a local backlash against these corporate enterprises. Much of these mineral profits went to multinational companies and the elite, and very little trickled down to the local population. Furthermore, a significant degree of tension had formed due to the devastating influence of climate change, which flooded heavily populated coastal regions of West Africa, and caused massive droughts and famines in the interior. The result of these factors was the rise of an extremist environmentalist (ecocentric) movement in the region. Mines and industrial infrastructure were attacked, while radical environmentalists made popular speeches about the greed of the West. The Guinean Earth Front was the first such radical organization, founded in 2031 by Lansana Toure. The Army of Terra was an offshoot of the GEF, operating in other nations in West Africa. Eventually, the Guinean Earth Party rose to power in 2055, with Lansana Toure becoming the nation's president. All mines were immediately shut down, much to the behest of Bruce Industries, which lost over 17 billion USD per year due to its inability to access the local bauxite reserves.
After November Horror, in which the Army of Terra ostensibly attacked a number of civilian targets in Washington, DC, US President and ex-CEO of Bruce Industries Donald King launched the War on Ecocentrism, firing airstrikes on select targets in West Africa, as well as supplying military aid and "advisor" troops to local governments to combat the Army of Terra. In September of 2062, the invasion of Guinea was seen as a new front in this global effort. After the invasion, mines were reopened, and over the course of the war, Bruce Industries would make over 110 billion USD from access to these minerals. However, militia groups established by Lansana Toure opposed the occupation, while the Army of Terra made an appearance in the country, ultimately causing a long guerilla war.
Basic Overview of the War
After American troops occupied the country, military commanders noted a number of isolated attacks on US units by members of local ecocentrist militias. During the presidency of Lansana Toure, a number of guerrilla-style militias were established to defend the country against a possible foreign invasion. These militias were relatively organized, very well-trained, and used an excellent array of insurgent tactics. Throughout late 2062, positronium munitions, drones, and tactical cruise missiles were used to destroy militia targets, but were ultimately ineffective. Insurgent fighters used cheap 3D-printers to produce relatively low-quality but effective shaped-charge warheads, explosive devices, and rocket launchers. A US caravan of troops was ambushed in December, killing five.
On February 15, 2063, the Guinea National Earth Militias launched the largest guerrilla offensive that had been seen up until that point in the war, the February Offensive. Many have compared this event to the Tet Offensive, the polarizing attacks in Viet Nam nearly a hundred years earlier. Some 800 US troops were killed, in militia attacks against military bases, mines, industry, and towns. In response, President King ordered a troop surge, more than tripling troop levels to 500,000 by July. Meanwhile, the US military remained thin everywhere else.
The US military continued using drones, airstrikes, and cruise missiles to root out terrorists and militia members. In 2063, the Army of Terra made its presence known by attacking a number of mines in a well-coordinated offensive in September. Through 2064 and 2065, the number of Terran militants in the country grew from several thousand to over 70,000, while the local militias still remained powerful.
The American forces launched a number of large-scale urban campaigns in cities across the country to root out insurgents; the Battle of Kankan is perhaps the most famous, although there were similarly destructive battles in Coyah (in 2064 and 2068), Port Kamsar (in 2066) and Gueckedou (in 2067). The capital and largest city, Conakry, was under a constant state of conflict between occupying forces and militia units, with the US employing heavy assault tactics that caused much collateral damage.
US airstrikes in urban areas, especially heavily populated ones, to destroy insurgent targets caused significant civilian casualties, a quantity which would add up to 70,000 by the end of the war. In 2065, the Summer Rellion saw large-scale revolutionary activity against the American occupiers, ultimately leading to the deaths of some 700 soldiers. In 2066, largely in response to the Summer Rebellion, a new troop surge was announced by King to bring levels up to 700,000, implying the necessity of a draft. There was widespread protest at home, and anger about the length of the conflict, that was further exacerbated by the 2067 Leak of Federal Government Documents.
In 2069 Albert Norman withdrew troops from the country, causing it to fall back into the hands of the Guinean Earth Party.
Early Phase of the War
Following November Horror, the US Congress had passed the War on Ecocentrism Act, allowing the President an essentially unlimited opportunity to utilize military force against radical environmentalists. After participating in limited missile strikes and special forces operations against insurgents throughout West Africa, Donald King announced in August of 2062 the commencement of a much larger intervention to topple the Lansana Toure government in Guinea. Troop carrier vessels were assembled in the Gulf, as 150,000 soldiers arrived by September.
The invasion began on September 17, two days prior to the planned start date, in order to surprise enemy forces. Troop carriers landed on the coast, as over 800 positronium cruise missiles were launched against key enemy targets in the coast and interior. Toure's communications and intelligence capabilities were rapidly destroyed by the aerial bombardment, and the ecocentrist logistical supply chain was eliminated. USAF hypersonic drone craft secured the airspace as special forces and marine units entered the capital city of Conakry, followed by regular infantry. The Fall of Conakry essentially led to an American victory by September 20; over the succeeding two weeks, US forces secured Nzerekore, Kankan, Kindia, and Geuckedou, while eliminating the remnants of Toure's military. President King declared that the "war is over" on October 10.
After American troops occupied the country, military commanders noted a number of isolated attacks on US units by members of local ecocentrist militias. During the presidency of Lansana Toure, a number of guerrilla-style militias were established to defend the country against a possible foreign invasion. These militias were relatively organized, very well-trained, and used an excellent array of insurgent tactics. On October 13, a Mecha was destroyed and two American troops wounded by mortar rounds fitted with shaped-charge HEAT warheads; the Defense Department denied that the highly publicized attack was coordinated by the local militias. Nonetheless, on October 20, the Army initiated "Operation Fearsome Eagle", to search for and detain members of ecocentrist militias in Conakry; the operation would last through December, while several US soldiers were killed by ambushes. Throughout late 2062, positronium munitions, drones, and tactical cruise missiles were used to destroy militia targets, but were ultimately ineffective. Insurgent fighters used cheap 3D-printers to produce relatively low-quality but effective shaped-charge warheads, explosive devices, and rocket launchers. A US caravan of troops was ambushed in December, killing fifteen.
February Offensive and Aftermath
Many military analysts have regarded the February Offensive as the key turning point in the War. Prior to 2062, the newfound militia insurgency in Conakry largely consisted of the tattered remnants of Lansana Toure's forces, and, while there were occasional ambushes and attacks against occupying forces, the Americans suffered relatively few casualties. This state of affairs changed radically, however, when hundreds of thousands of environmentalist militia members across Guinea launched coordinated attacks against US forces starting on February 15, 2062. Rather than conventional battle, the offensive consisted of surprise mortar attacks, ambushes, and deployment of explosive devices against American soldiers and military infrastructure. A variety of mining facilities owned by Bruce Industries, just recently re-opened, were sabotaged by militias as well. By its conclusion on March 17, the February Offensive had killed over 800 US troops. To deter the militia members, the USAF launched a broad campaign of cruise missile strikes against insurgent training camps, ammunition storage facilities, and the homes of terrorists, launching over 700 positronium missiles and calling in hypersonic drones; however, the air campaigns were ineffective in halting the offensive, and actually angered the local population.
In response to the attacks, on March 5, Donald King announced a troop surge to bring in 350,000 additional soldiers by June; the plan was met with widespread protest in the United States, as the American public rejected a military escalation. The Offensive had altered the public perception of the war effort, causing support for military operations in Guinea to drop dramatically. President King also ordered a broad ground campaign against ecocentrist neighborhoods of Conakry to root out militia members; dubbed Operation Securing Liberty, over 400 cruise missile strikes against insurgent infrastructure in the capital city was followed by extensive search-and-destroy operations by American troops. Areas of the city and surrounding slums subject to vast climatic flooding were highly involved in environmentalist militia activity, and the purpose of Securing Liberty was to pacify these neghborhoods. Over 3,000 militia members, 2,000 civilians, and 179 American troops were killed in the operation.
Escalation and Ongoing Insurgency (2063-2065)
Following Operation Securing Liberty, seeing a large ground and air offensive against ecocentrist targets in Conakry, public distaste in the United States against the war effort increased. The troop surge having peaked in June of 2063 with 500,000 US soldiers in Guinea, President King created the Patriot Commission, banning criticism of the war in the name of national security. Despite increased security and counter-insurgency attempts, however, the insurgency continued, with an increasing involvement of the Army of Terra. In September, eighty US troops were killed by a coordinated attack from Terran militants, while mining infrastructure and military installations were sabotaged.
Much of the resistance against the American occupation was centered in the interior city of Kankan, which saw enormous drought and famine as a result of global warming. On the anniversary of November Horror, US forces attempted to pacify Kankan, leading to perhaps one of the most controversial moments of the war. US drones and superconducting artillery surrounded and striked the city, as over 400 positronium cruise missiles were launched against militia targets, while troops and battle robots moved in. Occupying forces encountered and intricate network of remotely detonated explosives, while ambushing insurgents used mortar rounds fitted with powerful 3D-printed HEAT warheads to kill soldiers, calling back memories of the February Offensive. Ultimately, although the city was secured, the insurgency rebounded, leading to the second battle of Kankan; the public support for the war effort greatly decreased beyond this point as well. Over 800 US troops, 15,000 ecocentrists, and 5,000 noncombatants were killed in action.
Technology
The US military had by far the technological edge in the conflict, using highly sophisticated weapons systems. For tactical assault on insurgents, a number of automated cruise missiles, hypersonic aerial drones, and explosives were used delivering the highly concentrated power of antimatter munitions. The discovery of certain new laws of particle physics in the 2030s allowed for greatly efficient means of antimatter production. First used in the 2050s, stabilized positronium atoms contained in a magnetic field could pack far more power into a similarly-sized warhead than conventional munitions. Stored as a Bose-Einstein condensate, antimatter atoms would collapse upon contact with infrared radiation, emitting a coherent, polarized burst of high-energy gamma rays. Essentially two delivery mechanisms were utilized for applying positronium to the battlefield; an intelligent cruise missile, upon reaching its target, could break apart into numerous agile submunitions, or a drone (controlled by internal computers or a human guide) could launch small missiles at an enemy. While effective, antimatter was highly expensive at around 11,000 USD per kWh (about 10 million USD per ton of TNT), and billions of dollars were spent every year on positrons for the Guinea War. Positron missiles were up to three times as expensive as their conventional counterparts, due both to the cost of manufacturing antimatter, and the sophisticated magnetic systems needed to contain and stabilize positronium.
Furthermore, the war saw significant advancement for robots. Drones, intelligent cruise missiles, and battle robots ranging in size from small support bots, to 60-ft tall "Mechas" that fire missiles, were used on the battlefield. Nevertheless, infantry remained the critical unit. Soldiers were placed in powered "exoskeletons" or body-armour that could move at superhuman speed and supplement physical strength. Subject to advances in materials engineering, these exoskeletons were composed of a strong high-tech fabric of carbon nanotubes. All troops had a holographic visor that helped them ascertain the situation in the battlefield. Additionally, every soldier had a high-tech "superconducting rifle" that used an electromagnetic cannon to fire metal projectiles at high speed. The cost of these weapons systems was enormous, and yet militia groups still were able to pull off guerrilla victories.
Advances in magnetics, including the advent of practical superconducting materials, made electromagnetic weapons a powerful staple of the American forces. With easily available superconductors, portable "EM rifles" became a reality, in which metallic projectiles could be fired at immense velocity by a strong magnetic field. Additionally, large-scale magnetic artillery (including the ubiquitous "rail gun") were also used by the US, often in conjunction with antimatter munitions.
3D printing revolutionized insurgency by making certain low-tech weapons systems ubiquitous. The complicated structures needed to craft shaped-charge munitions, directing an explosion towards a target, while expensive and impractical to produce before, became an extremely cheap staple of the insurgency. Mortar rounds fitted with a miniaturized HEAT warhead could pierce through the nano-engineered armor of infantry exoskeletons, battle robotics, and even Mechas. While insurgents had access to aiming systems capable of increasing the precision of the rounds, the majority of mortars were still "dumb" (unguided). The availability of 3D printing certainly contributed to the revolutionary victory by the end of the war.
Timeline
2062
September 17 With 150,000 soldiers, the US military launches a ground invasion of Guinea, landing troop carrier ships on the coast while simultaneously firing over 800 missile strikes on select targets
September 20 Conakry falls to the US. While opposing the Guinean military, US forces are also subject to a number of isolated attacks by militia members.
October 4 Last major cities are occupied by American forces
October 10 President Donald King declares "the War is over!"
October 11 US military begins drafting occupation plans
October 13 Mecha is destroyed by an ambush, involving the launch of shaped-charge (HEAT) munitions, and two nearby troops are wounded. Defense Department officials claim that the attack was a "random act of violence", despite the fact that it was coordinated by the militias.
October 20 - December 11 Army initiates "Operation Fearsome Lion", to search for, detain, and execute members of the Guinea National Earth Militias. A number of US troops are killed by insurgent ambushes while carrying out search-and-destroy operations in Conakry.
November 5, 2062 - March 22, 2069 In a campaign of airstrikes which will last until 2069, drones, intelligent munitions, and cruise missiles are first used in a concerted effort against militia targets. On November 5, 47 cruise missiles were launched against militia training camps and ammunition storage facilities in rural areas outside Nzerekore, marking the start of an extended air war. These strikes were, at first, primarily directed at tactical locations in the countryside. However, as the war wears on, an increasing number of attacks would strike urban centers, ultimately causing high collateral damage.
December 2 - December 11 A limited airstrikes campaign is launched in Conakry to aid Operation Fearsome Lion. Operation Securing Liberty, in 2063, would see far more extensive missile strikes in the Capitol.
December 5 During Operation Fearsome Lion, militia members ambush an American troop caravan, killing fifteen. Numerous shaped-charge mortar rounds were fired by the insurgents. First major guerrilla confrontation in the conflict. After the confrontation, the American public begins to question the war effort.
2063
February 15 - March 17 In the February Offensive, hundreds of thousands of militia members attack US military bases, mining infrastructure, and occupied towns, killing 800 troops. Many have compared this campaign to the Tet Offensive nearly a hundred years earlier. Insurgents performed thousands of ambushes against troop caravans, deployed remotely detonated mines and explosives, and launched surprise mortar and HEAT-warhead rocket attacks against mining facilities and US military installations. The American army expanded its cruise missile campaign to deter the insurgents, but was ultimately ineffective. Many analysts have regarded this event as a turning point in the war.
March 5 Donald King announces troop surge, to bring 350,000 additional soldiers in by June
March 11 - May 2 Operation Securing Liberty is launched. In retaliation for the militia attacks on American service members during the February Offensive, the military seeks to "destroy insurgent infrastructure throughout the capital city of Conakry, hold militia members and terrorists to justice, demoralize the opposition, and pacify neighborhoods with a strong militia presence". Starting with a campaign of airstrikes, artillery, and positron missile attacks on militia strongholds throughout Conakry, US forces moved in to occupy the city, and pacify resistance. There was a focus on search-and-destroy operations against militia members. The American bombings, and urban warfare, caused the deaths of some 3,000 militia members and over 2,000 civilians.
June 1 Troop levels reach 500,000
June 6 The US Patriot Commission is created, banning criticism of the war effort in the name of national security
September 5 - 24 In a series of coordinated attacks from the Army of Terra, eighty US troops are killed, and a few mines become attacked by guerrilla forces. Insurgents manage to gain control over a few Bruce Industries mines in the interior, but are ultimately repelled by US forces. The event brings to the forefront concerns about Terra's expansion into Guinea.
November 1 - December 25 On the anniversary of November Horror, US forces attack the city of Kankan to re-take it from militia forces. Drones and superconducting artillery surround and strike the city, while American troops and battle robots move in. The battle will last through Christmas, with militia units employing guerrilla and ambush tactics against US soldiers. A vast amount of collateral damage and urban destruction results from the battle, harming the public image of the war effort. See Battle of Kankan
2064
January 5 - 27 Battle for Capitol Square occurs, in which about 15,000 militia members launch an attack on the administrative American occupation buildings. About 10,000 US troops face off against the insurgents, battling throughout the nearby city blocks, with the use of missiles by the Americans causing much urban destruction. Insurgents deploy roadside explosives, ambush troop units, and fire 3D-printed shaped-charge rocket munitions. Ultimately, the US secures the buildings.
March 2 - April 23 In response to the militia attacks on US administrative facilities, the occupying authority in Conakry initiates Operation Patriot Storm, another offensive against revolutionaries in the capital city. In previous months, the local populations of many neighborhoods of the city, especially those regions worst affected by flooding, were quiescent (and even actively supportive) in the ecocentrist movement. Insurgent infrastructure was attacked with cruise missiles, causing much collateral damage, while heavy urban fighting during search-and-destroy operations killed many civilians. A total of 350 US troops, 6,000 insurgents and 3,000 civilians are killed.
March 10-31 Militias organize an offensive to take Kankan, ultimately failing but killing nearly a hundred US troops. Sneak mortar and HEAT warhead attacks take soldiers by surprise, and kill or wound many American infantry. The attacks come mere months after the city of Kankan was supposedly "secured".
July 3 - August 15 US launches campaign in Coyah to fully occupy the city and root out insurgents; similar to the Battle of Kankan. Beginning with a campaign of cruise missile strikes, the American offensive is led by drones and battle robots, with magnetic artillery and positron bombs providing support. Throughout late July and early August, explosives deployed by militia members, as well as shaped-charge rocket attacks, kill over 600 US infantry.
November 7-30 Militia members spearhead the November Offensive, attacking dozens of mineral mines and killing 50 US soldiers. A few mining facilities, owned by Bruce Industries, become occupied by insurgents. The American military again finds itself relying on large-scale offensive weaponry like positron cruise missiles, battle "Mechas", and tanks, that are unable to successfully participate in counter-insurgency operations.
2065
February 2 Reports distributed by Black Hat show that possibly as many as 60,000 civilians have been killed by this point, largely due to the use of missiles, rocket launchers, and other air-based techniques. Many criticize the use of powerful antimatter rockets to attack insurgents in urban settings, causing much destruction and collateral damage. The battles of Kankan, Coyah, and Capitol Square, as well as the infamous Operation Securing Liberty and Operation Patriot Storm, are cited as examples.
April 11-29 Militia offensive on Nzerekore kills 90 US troops and injures many more. The use of 3D printing--by then a ubiquitous and cheap manufacturing process--by insurgents, is connected to the relatively effective nature of shaped-charge HEAT munitions incorporated into rocket launchers, grenade rifles, and MANPADS utilized in ambushes and surprise attacks against American forces.
May 3 - June 23 Army initiates Operation Lonesome Eagle, to root out militia members and Terrans in Conakry with the use of heavy assault weapons including cruise missiles, Mechas, and drones, causing much civilian casualty. This offensive comes less than a year after the previous assault in the capital. Beginning with a campaign of cruise missiles (especially positron bombs) in rebellious neighborhoods of the city, causing much urban destruction, heavy assault units went in to occupy the area, while specialized infantry searched for members of the militia and participated in search-and-destroy operations. In all, about 4,000 civilians and 8,000 insurgents were killed.
August 7 - September 10 Militias and the Army of Terra launch a joint offensive across the country, involving possibly more than a hundred thousand insurgents. Mining infrastructure and military bases are attacked, killing some 700 troops. The militia's signature of surprise mortar and rocket attacks, often in an "ambush" style, was used. Known as the Summer Rebellion, this attack was nearly as terrible as the February Offensive, both in scale and death toll, and contributed to the polarization of American public opinion against the War. In response, President King would launch another troop surge, announcing the formation of a draft in 2066.
November 10 Militia members steal three US missiles, and use them to kill 35 American troops in a military base outside Conakry. This lands accusations of incompetence against the American military.
2066
January 29 To widespread protest, President Donald King announces a new draft, forcing mandatory military service on certain individuals. Troop levels are to be brought up to 700,000 by May.
March 5 - April 12 US launches large-scale offensive on Port Kamsar, to completely occupy the city and eliminate insurgents. Starting with a campaign of antimatter cruise missiles, the offensive was led by drones, magnetic artillery, and battle robots, with US troops moving in by mid-March. Significant resistance was encountered, with surprise attacks demoralizing the American occupation. Similar to Battle of Kankan
June 5-22 Insurgents fight for control of government buildings in Nzerekore, leading to a large amount of urban warfare. Some 40 US troops die, in a confrontation similar to the Battle for Capital Square.
July 7-18 Militas launch offensive on Kindia, killing 112 US troops. Tens of thousands of insurgents surrounded the city, launching mortar attacks and firing shaped-charge warheads at American occupation installations. Some militiamen deployed remotely detonated explosives in the city, targeting US troop caravans, forcing the American administrators to block any travel into or out of the region, causing much anger in the local population.
September 5-13 A number of southern mineral mines are attacked by Army of Terra forces, killing 65 US troops. Truck bombs are utilized the most in the attack, with rocket launchers also used by insurgents against the US and Bruce Industries targets.
October 3 - November 12 US forces launch search-and-destroy operations in villages outside Nzerekore. Dozens of large raids are carried out in towns and villages south of the city, largely in retaliation for the bomb attacks in September. Nearly 20,000 US troops are involved. Some 7,000 Terran and militia insurgents are detained (many executed), whilst nearly 100 American troops are killed by land mines. Many insurgents were found hiding in the jungle and countryside, with weapons depots, command and control centers, and crude rocket launchers uncovered by US forces.
December 25 - February 6 545 cruise missiles are fired at Kissidougou by US forces, with dozens of drones providing support. In January, in what military leaders have described as a "blundering offensive", heavy assault units moved into the city to eliminate insurgents, but were unprepared to fight guerilla tactics. The US-Militia fatality ratio was one of the worst in the war, with some 7,000 insurgents and 725 US troops dying, with a civilian casualty toll in the thousands. Air warfare caused immense destruction, and military authorities were heavily criticized for failing to warn the local population of the offensive.
2067
January 17 - March 13 US military launches another heavy urban warfare project in Conakry, Operation Mountain Thunder, to root out the large number of militia members that had been recruited in the Capital. The campaign follows the same pattern as previous operations in Conakry, with an extensive missile and artillery sweep followed by an occupation with American troops, with a focus on search-and-destroy tactics. Neighborhoods with an insurgent presence are targeted. Controversy erupts following the destruction of water mains and other essential infrastructure, affecting the local population. Some 550 American troops, 8,000 insurgents and 5,000 civilians die.
February 17-33 Large battle commences over control of Senegal Street, a large traffic route leading to US military bases and administrative buildings, as well as urban infrastructure. 40 US troops, and an unknown number of insurgents, are killed, as the use of positron missiles causes significant collateral damage
April 7 - May 18 US campaign to invade and secure dominance over Gueckedou commences. Campaign of 515 cruise missiles is followed by an occupation of US troops. Schools and hospitals are destroyed, while numerous civilians are killed by urban warfare. At least 4,000 noncombatants were killed, and countless more wounded, while 655 US troops were killed in action.
May 5-23 Militia members spearhead an offensive against US targets in the East, largely focused on Army bases and drone launch centers on the interior of the country, killing 212 American troops. Much damage to infrastructure results from the attacks.
July 7 Insurgent Truck Bomb kills 83 US troops at a military fortification, causing concerns about the Army's security.
September 7 - October 8 US military launches the Second Battle of Kankan, attempting to occupy the city yet again. The campaign is incited by the deaths of 83 troops at a military fortification outside Kankan two months earlier. After several hundred powerful positron missiles are launched against the city, American forces attempt a full occupation. Use of battle robots, drones, and cruise missiles causes much urban destruction. Eventually, the city is supposedly "secured", at the cost of 754 dead American soldiers and countless civilians.
November 30 - December 12 The Army of Terra launches a bombing campaign against Bruce Industries mining infrastructure outside the city of Nzerekore. Some insurgents, wielding 3D-printed HEAT mortars and rudimentary artillery, as well as shaped-charge grenade rifles, overwhelm mine security and force US soldiers to retreat from several bauxite mines to avoid the surprise attacks.
December 17, 2067 - January 28, 2068 American forces launch a large-scale offensive against revolutionaries and militias operating in the city of Nzerekore. The battle is seen as "retribution" for previous attacks on American forces near Nzerekore. After a week-long missile campaign, involving the firing of some 600 cruise missiles against revolutionary targets in and around the city (including suspected ammunition storage facilities, buildings allegedly used by insurgents for weapons manufacturing, suspicious groups of individuals in or around the town, and residential buildings suspected to house insurgents), US forces moved in to occupy and secure the entire city. In the end, some 10,000 militia members, 5,000 civilians, and 600 US service members died.
2068
January 13-24 Militia members launch offensive against coastal mines, notably using crude chemical weapons to incapacitate facility guards. Several truck and car bombs disrupt bauxite infrastructure, killing US troops and Bruce Industries security. Much financial damage and destruction occurs, sparking worldwide commentary on the incompetence of the US occupation. Some 43 American soldiers are killed.
January 13 - February 17 US launches Operation Ocean Hawk to detain and execute members of the Army of Terra in Coyah, Port Kamsar, and several neighborhoods of Conakry. This is largely in response to bombings of coastal bauxite mines in the region. The urban areas are held under siege, with no movement permitted in or out, causing human rights concerns due to the possibility of starvation and malnutrition. Soldiers entered the area, supported with sophisticated intelligence systems, to raid local homes and apartments, destroy insurgent rocket launchers, secure weapons storage facilities, and detain insurgents. Over 60,000 US troops were involved, with 82 dying, largely by Army of Terra ambushes and improvised explosives. Militia members were also involved.
March 17 - April 22 US military launches another campaign in Coyah, to root out and destroy insurgent units. An aerial bombardment, including over 700 cruise missile strikes and thousands of drone attacks, is followed by a concerted ground effort of American troops. Ground and air warfare cause sweeping destruction to buildings and infrastructure, killing over 5,000 civilians, and 10,000 insurgents, while 595 Americans die. Mortar attacks, remotely detonated explosives, and grenade rifles blast through body-armour and kill or wound many US soldiers.
May 5-18 Militia members and the Army of Terra take control over critical infrastructure in Conakry, and attempt to make demands of the American occupiers. After much urban warfare, and 230 dead US troops, they are rooted out from the city. Notably, several insurgents took control of an abandoned American tank, while others fired crude rockets in an attempt to repel the US occupiers.
June 25 - July 7 Army of Terra launches offensive in Coyah, ambushing US units and killing 75 American troops. Insurgents fire surprise mortars and rocket-propelled explosives, and even some rudimentary missiles, at US targets. The Coyah occupation authority is criticized for mismanagement, and failing to plan for a possible guerrilla offensive.
September 11 - November 2 Operation Protecting Freedom is the final large-scale American campaign against insurgents in Conakry. An extended air offensive is followed by search-and-destroy operations in highly ecocentrist neighborhoods of the city. Over 600 cruise missiles are fired against neighborhoods harboring militia members (resulting in extensive collateral damage), while artillery fire, and urban warfare, causes untold devastation. Several hundred troops are killed by militia ambushes when searching for revolutionaries. Missiles notably destroy two local hospitals. An estimated 6,000 insurgents and 2,500 civilians are killed, in addition to 375 US troops.
October 15 Insurgent bomb in mineral mine kills 65 US troops and security officials. This was one of the largest bomb attacks in the war.
2069
January 22 President Albert Norman takes power, promising to leave Guinea by the end of the year
March 22 After two months, troop levels are down to 350,000. All troops are now deployed in coastal regions, with insurgents occupying the interior. To prevent collateral damage, missiles are no longer used in urban settings.
May 5 Troop levels are at 100,000, with most deployed in Conakry.
June 1 With troop levels at 50,000, President Norman eliminates the role of combat troops, making a deal with the Guinean Earth Party that the remaining troops will rebuild towns and cities after the destruction caused by urban warfare
October 1 Last US troops withdrawn. In a heavily publicized ceremony, the last troop caravan passes through a gateway into Guinea-Bissau, also marking the completion of the War on Ecocentrism.
Resistance to the War
After the February militia offensive in 2063, Americans began to lose trust in the military and its ability to effectively combat Ecocentrism. The troop surge of that year, bringing levels up to 500,000 and leaving the rest of the Army thinly protected, brought a lot of criticism and outrage against the King administration. At this point, a significant anti-war movement developed in the United States, with the underground digital resistance organization Black Hat gaining popularity.
The establishment of the Patriot Commission in 2063 also increased the amount of unrest. Hundreds of journalists and politicians, including our current President Albert Norman, were arrested without trial or charge in the name of national security. In 2066, the establishment of a draft caused riots across the country, and the 2067 Leak of Federal Government Documents led to such a high degree of unrest that Oregon and California declared martial law. In the end, President King was so terrified of a coup against his administration that he allowed Norman to run for president.
Criticism of the War
The Guinea War has been the subject of immense criticism. While the Patriot Commission banned "treasonous comments" about the conflict, journalists, military leaders, politicians, and activists were free to discuss the war openly in other countries. The UK government refused to participate in the initial invasion, and members of Parliament harshly criticized the militaristic nature of the Patriot Party and the apparent corruption and corporatism of the Donald King administration. Furthermore, many American dissenters under threat of imprisonment or even execution escaped to neighboring Canada, where they were free to criticize the US government. After warning about the possible corruption rampant in the presidential administration, Adley Stevenson, one of the highest-ranking and most respected members of the Marine corps, moved to Quebec City, where he published a popular book suggesting that November Horror was planned by the American government (a fact later revealed by the 2067 Leak of Federal Government Documents).
Critics have pointed to several severe repercussions of the War:
Civilian Casualties As revealed by various military records leaked in 2067, as well as additional intelligence distributed in subsequent years, at least 70,000 (and possibly as many as 140,000) civilians have been killed directly by US forces in Guinea. Most of these deaths were caused by missile strikes and rockets in urban areas, a controversial tactic used by the US. Use of antimatter munitions in populated civilian areas was common, including many campaigns in Conakry, as well as a number of large battles in other cities (including the Battle of Kankan). On the other hand, Militias and the Army of Terra virtually never purposely attacked civilians, and in fact were immensely popular among the country's population.
US Casualties Over 20,000 US troops were killed in the War, and 120,000 wounded, many of whom were drafted to serve as opposed to volunteering. After the 2067 Leak of Federal Government Documents, many families of fallen soldiers were extremely angry that their loved ones had died because of a network of corporate corruption. Furthermore, veterans often participated in anti-war activity, and many were locked up by the Patriot Commission.
Economic Costs The war directly cost 3.9 trillion USD. At the peak of the conflict in early 2068, over 2 billion dollars were spent every day. Thus, the entire nation paid a tremendous cost so that one powerful company (Bruce Industries) could make a relatively small profit. Officials from the Albert Norman administration estimate that if interest on war-related debt, as well as veterans' healthcare, is included, the Guinea War could cost Americans between 15 and 25 trillion dollars by 2100.