Mercenary I am the king

Chapter 1203 The general attack begins!
Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.

The moment of great battle has finally arrived.

The night before last, Song Heping went to bed early after dinner.

After all, this battle spans two countries and involves four nations, with the goal of eliminating the main force of the 1515 armed group in northwestern Iligo.

Over the past two years, the strength of the 1515 armed group has expanded rapidly. Thanks to their frequent propaganda on the internet and in dark web chat rooms, they have indeed attracted some like-minded extremists from Africa, Asia, and even Europe to join them.

When Bakdadi took over the 1515 organization, he had fewer than 10,000 men under his command.

In just two years, the number of regular soldiers in the 1515 armed forces reached more than 30,000. If other armed branches and local armed forces affiliated with the 1515 armed forces are included, the number reaches as high as 60,000.

Of these 60,000 troops, half are stationed in northwestern Iligo, including Mosul, Iligo's second-largest city, Tikrit, the hometown of former Iligo President Saddam Hussein, Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, and Kirkuk, among other areas.

Afterwards, Bakdadi, emboldened by his newfound confidence, announced the establishment of the "State of the Levant," which amassed wealth through taxation, oil and artifact smuggling, robbery, kidnapping, and extortion. It was once known as the world's "richest terrorist organization."

This is why the Americans were unable to drive the 1515 militants out of Syria through airstrikes. Their current choice to cooperate with former adversaries such as Song, Russia, and Persia is a desperate measure.

Now, with the four parties joining forces and two elite mercenary battalion-level combat units being transferred from Africa, they can be considered to have a strong and well-equipped force.

Even so, Song Heping was prepared for a long and tough battle.

His plan was to defeat the main force of the 1515 militants in Ilig within a month, but completely eliminating the 1515 militants would definitely be a long-term war, and it would not be something that could be done in a month.

We must be well-rested before a major battle.

For the next week, I estimate that getting five hours of sleep a day will be a luxury.

At three o'clock in the morning, Song Heping was woken up from his sleep. When he opened his eyes, he saw Samir standing in front of his cot.

"Boss, it's time."

"Well……"

Song Heping stretched and sprang out of bed.

"Three o'clock?"

This was the time he had previously instructed Samir to wake him up.

"Hmm, it's almost three o'clock."

Before Samir could finish speaking, the alarm clock function on Song Heping's watch started.

Drop drop-

The alarm kept ringing.

Song Heping turned off the alarm, got up and went into the bathroom, where he quickly brushed his teeth, then poured cold water over his head and scrubbed his face clean with a towel.

A buzz cut is great; you can wash your hair while you're washing your face.

"Let's go."

Back in his room, Song Heping quickly put on his camouflage jacket, checked his pistol, put it in its quick-draw holster, and strode out of the dormitory toward the command post.

Sulaymaniyah, the front-line command post for the operation.

All the displays were lit up, showing a real-time satellite view of the Daguk region, with the outlines of streets and buildings clearly visible in low-light night vision mode.

Other split screens display the real-time video windows of the commanders of each unit, the first-person view of the drone operators, and the status indicator lights of the encrypted communication channels.

Those U.S. military technical officers and sergeants were busy.

Okay.

Song Heping muttered to himself.

The American soldiers who were sent to assist with liaison for the operation were quite responsible. They had been working like spinning tops for the past few days, working in three shifts, eating, drinking, and using the restroom 24 hours a day in the command post.

After all, they are professional soldiers, so they have this much professionalism.

Walking in front of the big screen, Song Heping slowly put on the individual tactical headset and adjusted the microphone position.

Only the faint hum of the equipment and the suppressed breathing of the people remained in the command center.

"All combat units, this is the 'Furnace' command center. This is 01, confirming combat status."

His voice was clearly transmitted to every corner through the encrypted channel.

"Report 01, this is the 'Musicians' Battalion, now in position for the attack launch on the north flank. Vehicle engines warmed up, personnel in position!"

"Report 01, this is the 'Musician' 2nd Battalion. The frontal assault formation is complete, and heavy machine gun and mortar positions are ready!"

"The 'Liberation Forces' brigades and infiltration teams have arrived at their designated positions and are ready to launch raids at any time!"

"Abuyu Brigade forward reconnaissance unit reports no unusual activity along the contact line!"

"General Saif of the 9th Division of Iligor confirms that our artillery has moved into its designated positions and completed final data verification! The armored groups are deployed and ready to launch an attack at any time."

"This is the Russian military command post in Silia. Brigadier General Nezov confirms that the counter-offensive has entered its 48-hour countdown!"

"This is the 'Holy City Brigade,' confirmed by Afanti. The troops have reached their attack positions and are awaiting signals!"

"US Air Control reports that the first 'Strike Eagle' and 'Warthog' formations have entered the standby airspace and are ready to provide close air support at any time! Major James' forward observation team is deployed in place, all observation points are in position, and laser designators have been calibrated!"

A series of crisp, clean confirmation sounds, like a final check of the weapon's status before pulling the trigger.

Each green light represents the precise positioning of a gear in the war machine.

Song Heping raised his wrist, and on the luminous dial, the second hand was slowly moving toward that moment that was destined to be recorded in history.

He took a deep breath.

It's January now, and temperatures are a bit low in northern Iligo.

The cold air rushed into my lungs, bringing a strange sense of calm.

At the exact moment the hour, minute, and second hands perfectly aligned at 4:00, he faced the microphone and, with a steady and powerful voice, laid down his baton for this multi-participant symphony of death:
"Operation 'The Crucible' begins!"

At exactly four o'clock in the morning, west of Bakda.

Rumble——!
The earth trembled violently! Countless blazing tongues of fire erupted from the M109 self-propelled howitzer group and D-30 towed howitzer positions belonging to the 9th Armored Division of the Iligor government forces!
Heavy artillery shells ripped through the darkest silence before dawn, raining down on the 1515 armed positions on the outskirts of Ozam like a meteor shower.

A series of explosions suddenly resounded throughout the heavens and earth, and huge fireballs and thick smoke rose into the air from the darkness, turning half the sky red.

General Saif's feinting artillery barrage promptly launched Operation Furnace!

At almost the same time, the offensive axis south of Sulaymaniyah.

"The 'Musicians' Battalion, as planned, will maneuver to the left flank, cutting off the highway and all paths connecting Daguk City to the north, preventing any reinforcements or breakout!"

"The 'Musicians' 2nd Battalion, in conjunction with the 1st Assault Team of the Abuyu Brigade, will launch an attack from the front! Infantry fighting vehicles will lead the way, with infantry squads providing alternating cover as they advance!"

"The 'Liberation Forces' guerrilla groups infiltrated the hills and dried-up riverbeds, focusing their attacks on enemy communication lines and logistical nodes!"

"Calling 'Axe 1-1' (US Air Support call sign), coordinates Delta-Golf-2-7, enemy fortified stronghold detected, requesting immediate elimination!"

Song Heping's orders were instantly transmitted to all combat units through the tactical network.

At the very moment Song Heping issued his order, death was already in position in the pitch-black sky tens of thousands of meters above Daguge.

"Furnace Command Center, this is 'Axe 1-1'. We have arrived at the standby airspace and request confirmation of the mission area and rules of engagement."

The calm voice of Duke, the lead pilot of the F-15E Strike Eagle, came through the encrypted channel, against the backdrop of the steady roar of the jet engines.

"Axe 1-1, this is the Furnace Command Center. The mission area is confirmed to be the pre-set defensive perimeter outside Dagug City. The coordinate grid has been sent to the data link. Repeat, only the outer perimeter positions. The city is a no-bombing zone unless explicitly authorized. Priority targets: marked heavy machine gun positions, mortar positions, command posts, and technical vehicles."

Inside the command post, a U.S. military liaison officer clearly repeated the instructions.

"Roger that. Restrict the perimeter, no bombing inside the city. Axe 1-1 confirmed. 'Wild Boar' squad, did you hear me?"

"Duke" called out to the accompanying A-10C formation.

"Wild boar 1-1 received, clearly visible. We're best suited to handle the dirty work on the perimeter."

The A-10C lead pilot's voice, "Nail," carried a rugged confidence.

His vehicle was better suited for hovering at low to medium altitudes, using that terrifying GAU-8 cannon and various precision munitions to "lick the ground".

"This is 'Observer 7'."

A calm voice from the ground cut through the communication; it was Major James's advance observation team: "Target Alpha locked, coordinates Delta-Golf-2-7, confirmed as a heavy machine gun bunker, reinforced with sandbags, and topped with a canopy. Laser code 1776."

"Observer 7, Axe 1-1 received, laser code 1776. Initiating attack path." Duke pushed the control stick, and the F-15E gracefully turned sideways and began its dive.

The weapons systems officer in the back seat quickly checked the systems. "Lock-on stable, laser tracking normal. 'Maverick' is ready."

"emission!"

An AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missile detached from its rack, ignited, and, trailing a fiery white tail, shot towards its target with the precision of a scalpel.

A few seconds later, a huge fireball rose from the ground, accompanied by thick smoke and debris.

The meticulously constructed fortress, along with the machine gunners inside, vanished in an instant.

"Target destroyed. Well done, Observer 7."

"Duke" pulled up the nose of the plane and began searching for its next target.

Meanwhile, "Nail" piloted his A-10C "Warthog" like a patient butcher, hovering at a slightly lower altitude.

"Wild Boar 1-2, you to the left, I to the right, clear that trench line. Observer 8, light the way for us."

"Observer 8 understands, laser irradiation... now!"

Another forward observation team's laser beams were firmly locked onto a winding infantry trench on the northern outskirts of Dagug.

"Got it! Try this!"

"Nail" pressed the launch button, and the rocket pods mounted under the A-10C's wings spewed out dense tongues of fire. Dozens of 70mm Hydra rockets swarmed towards the target like a bee, engulfing the entire trench in continuous explosions and steel fragments.

Immediately afterwards, he adjusted the nose of the machine gun, and the fearsome GAU-8/A "Avenger" 30mm seven-barreled Gatling gun began to spin slowly to warm up, emitting a teeth-grinding "humming" sound. Then—

Thump thump thump thump—!
The dull yet extremely destructive sound of cannon fire echoed through the sky!
Each 30mm depleted uranium armor-piercing round struck the ground like a hammer blow. Wherever the shells swept, sandbag fortifications were easily torn apart, makeshift bunkers were shattered, and the 1515 militants hiding behind them, along with their weapons, were completely destroyed.

Even if some people hide in deep bunkers, the highly penetrating depleted uranium munitions can easily penetrate them and cause devastating damage in confined spaces.

Where the A-10 flew, only a scene of devastation and burning remains were left behind.

"Great! The trench line has gone silent!"

The commander of the "Musicians" Second Battalion mercenaries on the ground saw this scene through his binoculars and couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice over the communications channel.

The airstrikes were precise and efficient.

The F-15E is responsible for "pointing out" high-value targets and fortified positions, while the A-10 uses its powerful sustained firepower and survivability to clear out area targets and light vehicles.

In the sky, the roar of fighter jet engines, the whistling of missiles leaving their pylons, the muffled thud of bombs exploding, and the distinctive sound of the A-10's large-caliber cannons intertwined to create a symphony of death.

However, as Song Heping had anticipated, and also due to the rules of engagement, all air strikes carefully avoided the building skyline of Dagug city.

They could only watch helplessly as many 1515 militants, after enduring fierce bombardment from the outside, retreated into the city in a chaotic but orderly manner along pre-planned routes, disappearing into the intricate streets and alleys.

They were clearly determined to use the city's terrain and the potentially hostage civilians to wage the most brutal urban warfare against the attackers.

This is a tactic they often use.

Once inside the city, the American planes hesitated to launch large-scale bombing raids.

"The air strikes are over, and the main outer positions have been cleared. However, a large number of enemy troops have retreated into the city. Now it's up to you, Furnace Center."

"The Duke" reported, a hint of helplessness in his voice. Fighter jets could destroy exposed fortifications, but they couldn't easily drag out enemies hiding in rat holes.

As Song Heping watched the real-time footage transmitted back by the drones from the command post, he had a clear understanding of the Air Force's achievements and limitations.

"Attention all units!"

He didn't hesitate at all; his orders were swift and decisive.

"The 'Musicians' Battalion, as planned, will cut in from the left flank, control the northern exit of the city and surrounding high points, and establish a blockade line as soon as they retreat into the city and have not yet established a firm foothold!"

"The 'Musicians' 2nd Battalion, the 1st Assault Team of the Abuyu Brigade, advance towards the edge of the city from the front! Pay attention to street clearing, beware of snipers and IEDs!"

"Each infiltration team of the 'Liberation Forces' should establish fire support points based on the existing occupied outer positions to provide flank cover and fire suppression for the frontal attack!"

"All units, maintain formation and advance steadily! We're not in a hurry to rush in; let's first knock out all their outer tentacles!"

With Song Heping's order issued, the ground offensive officially began.

The armored convoy of the "Musicians" Battalion roared forward like arrows, encircling the north of the city along its predetermined route.

The heavy machine gunner on the roof of the vehicle vigilantly scanned both sides, while the infantry followed closely behind, advancing in shifts using all available cover.

On the front, the combined forces of the "Musicians" 2nd Battalion and the Abuyu Brigade deployed standard urban close-quarters combat tactics.

Leading the way were several reinforced armored bulldozers specifically designed for bomb disposal and obstacle breaching, followed by infantry fighting vehicles and skirmish lines.

The soldiers formed combat groups of three or four, providing cover for each other and taking turns occupying the ruins of houses or dilapidated walls on both sides of the street.

Whenever a suspicious building or firing point is encountered, the first step is to test the waters with machine guns and rifles. Once the threat is confirmed, either call in mortars from the rear for a precision strike, or send out an assault team to clear it out under the cover of smoke.

Da da da--!
boom!boom!
boom!
The sounds of rifle bursts, machine gun fire, and grenade explosions began to echo on the edge of the city, breaking the brief silence following the air raid.

"Second platoon, report! There's a sniper in the three-story building on the left! Suppress him!"

"Roger that! Machine gun team, cover the third-floor windows!"

"Smoke grenade! Throw a smoke grenade at the intersection ahead!"

"Watch out in the alley on your right! There's an RPG!"

The communication channels were filled with tense calls and reports from various squads and platoons.

The battle was brutal and intense from the very beginning.

The 1515 militants used their familiarity with the terrain to ambush and fire rockets from unexpected angles, and even laid improvised explosive devices along their retreat route.

An armored pickup truck belonging to the 2nd Battalion of the "Musicians" accidentally ran over a roadside bomb. With a loud bang, the vehicle was blown over and burst into flames.

Nearby soldiers immediately lay down and sought cover, while medics braved stray arrows to rush forward and rescue the wounded.

"FUCK! Engineer squad, advance! Scan the road ahead!"

The second battalion commander roared into the radio.

The well-trained mercenaries and guerrilla soldiers demonstrated extremely high tactical skills and psychological fortitude.

They didn't rush in, but rather, like a comb, patiently and inch by inch, cleared away the edges of the city.

Upon encountering a fortified strongpoint, immediately call in rear mortars or direct A-10s on standby in the air to conduct a round of "roll call".

The A-10 pilot "Nail" and his wingman became the busiest people at this moment. Like guardians hovering over the battlefield, they were ready to respond to calls from the ground at any time, using precise cannon fire or rocket bombardment to turn any emerging firing points into ruins.

“‘Nail,’ this is ‘Hammer 2-3.’ I need you to take a shot at that blue domed building in Sector D. There’s a machine gun in the second-floor window!”

"Roger, 'Hammer 2-3', keep laser pointer on... See it! Thump thump thump... Target cleared."

"Good job!"

The air-ground coordination achieved through the command platform played a crucial role at this moment.

Although unable to directly bomb the interior of the city, the US air power greatly relieved the pressure on ground troops in this narrow combat zone on the edge of the city, and efficiently eliminated those tough thorns that were difficult to deal with quickly with infantry fire.

In the command center, Song Heping's sharp eyes swept across the various screens.

He needed to monitor the progress of the advance under Dagug City, keep an eye on whether the blockade operation of the "Musicians" battalion in the north was in place, and maintain communication with Bakda, the Russians, and the Persians through encrypted channels to ensure the coordination of the entire "Meltdown" operation.

"General Saif, maintain the intensity of your feint attack and keep the attention of the Ozam defenders firmly drawn."

"Brigadier General Nezov, please confirm your counter-offensive preparations."

"Holy City Brigade, your unit shall remain on standby and await further instructions."

He was like a master chess player, simultaneously controlling pieces on multiple chessboards, with every decision affecting the lives of thousands of soldiers and the course of the entire battle.

Dagug is merely the first step in this grand strategy; it must be played steadily and skillfully, without inflicting significant casualties.

If the casualties are too high, even if we capture Dagug, it will negatively impact our next step of advancing south to capture Titrick.

The main force of the 1515 armed forces in the city had already dispersed and hidden in buildings; the real test was yet to come.

　Asking for a monthly ticket! Asking for a monthly ticket!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)