Salt Creek Revolution

The Salt Creek Revolution (2 July 2022 – 24 January 2024), also referred to as the Creeker Rebellion, Western Rebellion, or Fridian Civil War was a micronational civil war within the Holy Republic of FRID between the HRF and seceded states known as the Salt Creek Republic. The war began when Ian Southwell, former HRF minister of foreign relations, announced the secession of the Southwestern and Western province from the Holy Republic of FRID and the formation of the Salt Creek Republic. Shortly afterward, Southwell officially declared war on the HRF on behalf of the SCR.

On 24 January 2024, the Salt Creek Republic officially surrendered to the Holy Republic of FRID, marking the conclusion of the nearly two-years long conflict.

History

Background

It is estimated Ian Southwell and local government leaders began meeting in secret roughly two months before the formal declaration of war. These private meetings were highly secretive and secure. Four territories would form to create the Salt Creek Republic. The Western and Southwestern Provinces, in addition to the Fay territory, would secede from the HRF, with the fourth territory being a new entity. The Salt Creek Republic was founded as a state with grounded republican values as opposed to the oligarchic theocracy present in the Holy Republic of FRID.

Unified secession and declaration of war

On 2 July 2022, all three territories collectively announced their secession via direct line to the Fridian High Council. The Salt Creek Republic formally declared independence from the Holy Republic of FRID with a video recorded by the first and sitting president of the Salt Creek Republic, Ian Southwell. In the video, Ian denounces all titles given to him during his time in the holy republic, along with declaring independence from and war on it, thus starting the Creeker Revolution as it has begun to be called in the Salt Creek Republic. After failing to recruit from within the Holy Republic's high council, recruitment efforts began outside the nation.

The secession of the provinces came as a shock to HRF leaders. The reformation debates had distracted members of the High Council from sensing any indication of a potential revolt.

Early years

Battle of East Gillespie

On 2 October 2022, SCR revolutionaries had infiltrated the HRF's central province. A video was sent depicting two men desecrating the HRF flag. Photos showing evidence of vandalism and destruction of property by the SCR were also sent out. In response, a small HRF border protection force was mobilized and arrived within the same hour the video was received. However, the small, inexperienced force was outnumbered and was forced to retreat. About 1 to 2 hours later, the HRF army arrived in trucks and drove the SCR force out of the main area of the central province. The SCR revolutionaries attempted to use the high ground and the protection of the trees to ambush the HRF force who were positioned in the open gravel courtyard. The SCR revolutionaries only arrived on foot, and could not outrun the HRF's trucks. In addition, the SCR did not have ranged weapons and could not be effective against the HRF's non-lethal firearms. The battle's conclusion was largely indecisive, with the SCR occupying a large portion of the central province, but there were many faults revealed in the revolutionaries' supply situation after the mobilization and arrival of the HRF forces.

Temporary ceasefire

Beginning on 1 January 2023, a temporary ceasefire was called. Shortly after the ceasefire, the HRF announced a temporary border closure for undisclosed reasons. As of April 2023, both the ceasefire and closure have not been lifted. Beginning in July 2023, the ceasefire was informally lifted after a series of light skirmishes which were a result of miscommunication.

Final months

In the summer of 2023, the parliament was disbanded and the Salt Creek Republic, in secrecy, dissolved its government. However, fighting continued, though to a much smaller degree.

Conclusion and aftermath

Secondary Minister Ian Southwell assumed title of Prime Minister of the Salt Creek Republic in order to dismantle the theocratic organization of the Republic's state, creating a polytheistic dictatorship and exiling the remaining 4 people represented in the latest census while removing all religious and offensive iconography represented in the Great Expansion era of the nation, before drafting and submitting a document of surrender and absolution to the holy council of the Holy Republic of FRID.