Middle Eastern tyrants

Chapter 242 Piercing (Part 3)

The temporary command post of the Fifth Army Group in Haifa.

Under repeated defeats, the Fifth Army Group had no choice but to abandon its defenses outside the city and rely on the complex terrain inside the city to intercept Shuangzhi's troops.

The temporary command post was set up in the lobby of a hotel, where Lieutenant General Oltra stood in front of a table with a cobbled-together map, struggling to keep the army group running.

Explosions could be heard from outside the window from time to time, causing dust to fall from the ceiling.

"Report to the Commander."

Abraham, holding several sheets of calculated drafts, approached Oltra: "Our army group has suffered heavy casualties. Many units have been decimated. The 7th Armored Division has less than a battalion of tanks left capable of fighting. All three battalion commanders of the 188th Mechanized Infantry Division have been killed in action and are now under the command of deputy battalion commanders. The 209th Artillery Brigade only has enough ammunition to sustain two salvos."

Oltra sighed and placed the broken pencil on the table.

No matter how hard he tried to calculate, he couldn't figure out this battle.

As the youngest of the seven army group commanders in Zion, Oltra was proud.

He longed to realize his value in the war and prove his talent and strength.

He wanted to tell everyone that he was a true rising star, and that even among all the generals, he was among the best.

As a result, his first battle as army group commander was against Amir.

It wasn't until they faced off head-on that he realized just how vast the gap was between him and his opponent.

Whether it's tactics, command, or overall control, they are far superior to me.

And all he seems to have left to offer is his loyalty to Zion.

“Commander,” Abraham said softly, “the war is not over yet, and the troops need you to pull yourself together.”

“It’s not that I’m not trying to cheer up,” Oltra said with a wry smile. “I’m just jealous. God is so unfair. When He created life, He had no qualms about showing favoritism to some people.”

At this point, Abraham didn't know how to comfort him.

Fortunately, Oltra quickly recovered and straightened his back: "Order all units to immediately break up into smaller units and reorganize them into companies and platoons."

The staff officers standing nearby were taken aback for a moment, then quickly reacted and began to relay Oltra's orders.

"We need to focus our defense on the city hall, the port and the power plant, as well as every transportation hub."

Ortra addressed the entire group solemnly: "Gentlemen, I know the war has come to a standstill, but there is nothing shameful in admitting defeat. More importantly, we still know what to do next: stop the enemy here completely!"

If there are no tanks, we'll use machine guns; if there are no machine guns, we'll use our teeth! We will make sure that every step Shuangzhi takes forward comes at the cost of blood!

The other staff officers also stood solemnly: "For Zion!!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Shuangzhi Frontline Command Post.

Lu Lin pointed to the direction north of Haifa on the map: "Here, here, and here we need to deploy a defensive barrier, using the defensive fortifications left behind by the Zion forces to block any possible flanking attacks by the enemy's Sixth Army."

Lu Lin was worried that something might go wrong with Surria, so he decided to take preventative measures in advance.

"At the same time, troops were dispatched to intercept key intersections in Haifa, cutting off the enemy's connection with the outside world and creating favorable conditions for ground troops to launch an offensive."

Bandar carefully wrote it down: "Understood."

Looking at the geographical boundaries of Haifa, Lu Lin had always wanted to use modern siege warfare tactics, but he was hampered by insufficient resources.

Now, with the addition of the helicopter force, the final piece of the puzzle is finally complete.

Isolate first, weaken, and then eliminate.

Using the helicopter's three-dimensional vision and maneuverability, key targets within the city can be marked, and then coordinated with the artillery.

This means that we can move away from the previous indiscriminate carpet bombing and carry out precise "acupoint" strikes to systematically destroy the enemy's defensive nodes in the city. This will not only greatly reduce our own casualties, but also further improve efficiency.

In fact, Lu Lin could do this with his previous Eagle Falcon perspective, but now that he is the Allied Marshal, he can't always use Eagle Falcon perspective to carry out precise pinpoint bombing.

But now he can delegate tasks so he doesn't have to do them himself.

Would I be considered one of the earliest practitioners of the unity of faith and fire?
As Lu Lin was pondering this, a short man in a field uniform walked in and saluted him: "Marshal, you wanted to see me?"

The arriving officer was Captain Abbas of the Shuangzhi Army's "Viper" unit, who was in charge of commanding helicopter formation operations.

Lu Lin said, "Abbas, I have a task for you."

Helicopters were relatively new to the Middle Eastern battlefield. At that time, not only were they not building defenses, but even the United States was figuring out how to use them effectively beyond just attacking tanks. Lu Lin, drawing on his experience from his previous life, was prepared to maximize the tactical system that this weapon could support.

He then explained his tactics, and Abbas immediately saluted after hearing them: "Yes, I understand!"

When the other staff officers heard Lu Lin's deployment plan, although they had never heard of it before, they had a feeling that "this is how a battle should be fought".

Fahd, standing nearby, was already picturing in his mind the helicopters providing coordinates, followed by precise artillery strikes, and muttered to himself, "I really don't know what's wrong with the Marshal's head."

Taimiye glanced at him and said, "If you want to be put in solitary confinement, just say so."

Fahd raised his hands: "I was just sighing, sighing, you understand!?" ————

Earlier on November 14, at the front command of Army Group Surya, Commander Hafez received a phone call from Moscow.

He put down the battle map in his hand and picked up the receiver.

"General Hafez."

The calm voice of the Moscow envoy came from the other end of the phone: "Moscow has noticed some changes in the situation on the front lines, and we need to re-coordinate our military cooperation."

Hafiz's expression darkened slightly; he knew what was coming would eventually happen: "Please explain yourself clearly."

"The Supreme Command has decided to appoint Comrade Sergei Ivanovich Markov as the chief military advisor at the front. He will assist you in commanding the operations."

Hafez responded, "Our existing command structure is functioning well, and it coordinates effectively with the Arab coalition forces."

“This is Moscow’s decision,” Popov interrupted. “Given the current strategic situation, we need to ensure that the military operation in Surya is consistent with the overall strategy. Of course, you can also choose not to accept it.”

Hafiz's expression shifted between light and dark; he certainly understood the meaning behind the other party's words.

Given the current situation where Shuangzhi holds a dominant position, Ant is preparing to strengthen its control over Surria, challenge the United States-backed proxies, and seize the power to determine the future of the Middle East.

Although Commander Hafez had previously assured Lu Lin that he would have full control of Surria's army, the situation would be different if Ant were to intervene.

Over the past nearly thirty years, Antwerp has gone from helping Surrey gain independence from France, to helping the Ba'ath Party consolidate its power and end the country's division, to supporting Surrey in establishing its military and political system, and has also assisted Surrey in cultivating and building its talent pool.
The relationship between the two countries cannot be explained in just a few words.

Ant's attitude had an irresistible quality for Surria.

Hafiz was silent for a moment before asking, "When will you arrive?"

“Tomorrow night,” Popov said. “Markov was an excellent General Ant during World War II, and he also performed admirably in Bactria. I’m sure you two will have a great time working together.”

Three Mi-8 helicopters landed on the runway, the dust kicked up by their rotors filling the night.

Markov was the first to descend the gangway, followed by a group of Ant officers dressed in drab gray coats and woolen military caps.

“Your Excellency Hafez,” Markov extended his hand, “I am Sergei Ivanovich Markov.”

Hafiz did not respond immediately, but glanced at the entire staff team disembarking behind him: "This lineup doesn't look like they're here to be advisors."

“We have reached an agreement with Al-Ilag Secretary General Kozonie in advance that Ant will support the formation of a new united front between Surya and Al-Ilag.”

Markov's words were laced with sarcasm, his face hardening: "In the coming weeks, Ant will send Surria new weapons and equipment, including new T-72s and MiG-23s, all as a gift without any conditions."

"What is unconditional is often the most expensive," Hafez said, staring into Markov's eyes. "We already have a united front, the Arab united front against Zion."

"Yes, the 'Arab United Front' is also helping Suriya fight against Zion, and the two are not contradictory."

Markov suddenly stepped forward, his voice lowering, but his tone remained firm: "I shouldn't be saying this. Perhaps Popov's ideological work wasn't done well, or perhaps there was a misunderstanding in the previous communication. But don't forget your secondary enemy, Shuangzhi, whom you consider your most reliable friend. It is not only a backward monarchy, but it is also fully embracing the West."

Don't get too caught up in fleeting, sweet lies, or Surria will regret it sooner or later.

Faced with this aggressive stance, Hafiz retorted, "If your so-called enemy is the person who helped us liberate Damascus, yes, five years ago, I wouldn't have even dared to imagine it."

Markov's eyes flashed with a mocking smile: "Don't blame the problem on Ant. Don't forget that we provided Surria with more than two thousand tanks, as well as countless fighter jets and ammunition. You originally had the opportunity to liberate Damascus on your own, but you failed."

Hafiz's expression wasn't very pleasant; in reality, he was only verbally expressing his dissatisfaction.

The love from the "benevolent father" is profound, but also very firm; agreeing to let the other party come already shows his attitude.

But then Markov’s tone softened slightly: “But you still have a chance—to take Tel Aviv, liberate Jerusalem, and prove that you are still the same Surya you once were, not the lapdog of the Shuangzhi.”

After saying that, Markov extended his hand.

Hafez remained silent. In a previous phone call with Popov, Ant had promised not only to forgive part of Surya's old debts but also to provide new financial assistance.

If rejected, all of this will vanish.

So, after much consideration, Hafiz reached out his hand, and the two clasped hands tightly.

Markov then nodded, walked past Hafez, and led his staff into the command post.

At this moment, everyone in the staff looked on in astonishment as a group of Russian officers walked in.

Some of them stood up and bowed.

In Surria’s original military system, there were more than a hundred officers from Ant who held various positions in the military.

"Commander," the adjutant asked, "Should we inform Marshal Amir about this?"

Should we tell people that Surya and Al-Ilag have formed a united front?

Or did Surria change its command structure?
Hafez was caught in an unusual moment of hesitation. After all, Ant was there to help them deal with Zion, which fundamentally aligned with the general direction of the Arab Unity Front.

Moreover, the power struggle between Ant and the United States was something he was unwilling to get involved in.

“Not for now.” After weighing the options carefully, he finally spoke, “I will personally explain to Marshal Amir when the time is right.”

(End of this chapter)