Dilu Island dispute
| Dilu Island dispute | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Zepranan Cold War | |||||
 A map of Dilu Island. | |||||
| |||||
| Claimants | |||||
Diplomatic support  Norton |
 Zeprana  Pearlocha | ||||
| Units involved | |||||
| Unknown | ||||
| Strength | |||||
| 5 | Unknown | ||||
The Dilu Island dispute was a territorial dispute between the Empire of Meritia, the Nexan Republic, the Kingdom of Fontasia, the Kingdom of Scynja and the Democratic Christian Republic of Melite on one side against the Commonwealth of Zeprana.
Background and History
Colonial Era and 2021 Assemblian Expedition
Dilu Island, known to American tourists and civilians as Colonial Acres Beach, was originally a part of the Assemblian Colony of New Assemblia. Situated in the central area of Cape Cod along Lewis Bay, it is bordered to the north by a small tidal river and marsh and to the west by a narrow strait connecting a small cove with the surrounding bay. During the colonial era of Dilu, which lasted between 2013 through 2021, it was a part of the colonial capital of Lewisport. During most of its colonial history, Dilu Island was rarely visited by the Assemblian colonists, with the first true expedition only being in 2021. The Assemblic Emperor and a few others biked from the Summer Palace about a half a mile east of the island and crossed the Dilu Bridge onto the barrier island. From there, the Emperor explored the grassland dunes of the northern half of the island along the Dilu River, discovering an abandoned firepit but not much else. Several photos were taken to be used as proof of the expedition.
After the expedition, a plan was made to cross the beach connecting Dilu Point, a jetty just southeast of the island at low tide, but the idea was abandoned after the realization that most of the land connecting beaches was private property.
February Dispute
In February 2021, the Assemblic Emperor wanted to cede land to Zeprana to have closer borders. These plans were only an idea, as no formal documents designating the eastern half of Dilu Island being ceded to Zeprana were ever made. A few weeks later, the Emperor changed his mind and decided to begin making Dilu Island "international territory." Once hearing of this, the Zepranan President, Terry McKeen III began threatening war over what he claimed was Zepranan land, though no documents were ever signed. This was the first escalation of tensions between Zeprana and the Allied Powers in the Dilu Island Dispute. Shortly after these threats, the Nexan Chancellor, Desslok V. Nafage and the King of Fontasia, Conor I defused the conflict, leading to the lands being ceded to Zeprana.
A day later, after reports of a covert Zepranan operation to raid the State of Norton Discord server was released, the treaty was immediately voided, with the Kingdom of Fontasia and its allies breaking ties with Zeprana. The island, now with no true owner, was then partitioned between many Fontasian allies, including the Empire of Meritia, the Nexan Republic and the Conservative Creek Republic. An uninhabited tidal island known as Purple Island was divided between the Nexan Republic and Empire of Meritia. The Conservative Creek Republic then ceded its claims to the Nexan Republic due to it being afraid of being dragged into conflict, and two empty plots were left open for any other power to claim. The Kingdom of Ščynja claimed one of these plots and eventually the Empire of Meritia, creating the so-called "Dilu Corridor", a pocket of land that cut the western and eastern portions of the island off. The Empire of Meritia created the Protectorate of Dilu and the Territory of Purple Island in their nation. The partition of Dilu Island was formalized by the signing of a treaty, therefore making all claims legitimate on the island.
A day later, the Democratic Christian Republic of Melite was given a two-year lease of the Dilu River Territory, a small portion of land situated between the Dilu River Marshes to the north and Lewis Bay to the south. The Zepranan President once again heard of the news that the island was once again given to another nation and repeated that the island was Zepranan. This was met with harsh criticism from claiming nations, and Terry McKeen III was further ridiculed. On 20 February 2022, McKeen made remarks about invading the Republic of Finlandia, a nation he was presumably a governor in. A day later, President McKeen made more remarks through Discord that Dilu Island was Zepranan territory, further heightening tensions. The next day, the Conservative Creek Republic was given land once again on the island. A few days later, an agreement between the Fontasian King and President McKeen was made, and the newly established Republic of Pearlocha was given the Terry Arthur McKeen III Memorial Toilet on Dilu Island, ending the Dispute for the time being.
Spring Dispute
On 27 March 2022, Terry McKeen vandalized this Microwiki page, falsely claiming Zeprana won the dispute alongside Zepranan allies, a clearly false and despicable statement. He also announced an expedition of his own to the island, which was received as an act of aggression towards the Kingdom of Fontasia and her allies. It was later discovered the next day McKeen claimed the island for Zeprana, which even worsened the situation. The King of Fontasia announced that any attempts of Zepranan expedition on the island would be treated as an act of war against the Kingdom of Fontasia and its allies, and that the war would cause cyberattacks on Zeprana and all micronations associated. Shortly after the King's declaration, the Empire of Meritia issued a treaty to be signed between the Allied Powers to ensure Dilu Island's claims are not infringed and condemnation against Zeprana, naming them a rogue state and terrorist organization.
Dilu Ribbon
| Dilu Island dispute | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Victory Ribbon |
| Country |  Melite•  Dilu Commissariat |
| Campaign(s) | Dilu Island dispute[a] |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Sole and highest military award |
Citations
Endnotes
