Last night during a tropical storm a three phase operation to free the hostages on Jaques took place. Phases 1 and 2 were successful, but phase 3 is currently at a stalemate.
Phase 1
In Phase 1 Frost Empire Marines scuba dived to the north of the island where they took out 2 lookout posts, one on the far north, and one that was protecting the beach. During this phase there were no casualties for the Frost Empire Marines, and they killed 7 Terra Firma operatives, and took 3 as prisoner.
Simultaneously on the west coast Keanuan Marines and Izaakian Navy Sharks were dropped from boats outside the 2 km exclusion zone, and scuba dived their way to the coast.
In the central west coast region Keanuan Marines landed and stormed the Jaques Scuba School where some of the hostages were being kept. There was an exchange of fire during the assault, killing 6 Keanuan Marines and 12 hostages. However 93 hostages were rescued, and 9 Terra Firma operatives killed, 1 taken prisoner.
On the south western coastal region Izaakian Navy Sharks landed and took out an observation post killing 5. They then moved towards the Jaques Radar Station, which is based on the highest point on the island and was being used by Terra Firma to keep track of boats and planes operating in the area. At the Jaques radar station 3 Terra Firma operatives were killed, and 3 taken prisoner including the radar specialist. During the assault one Izaakian Navy Shark was killed.
Phase 2
During phase 2 a large number of Sedunnic Marines and Keanuan armed forces landed at the north western Jaques beach. From there they secured the highland areas, and moved towards the hostages kept at the keep fit gym, where they rendezvoused with Marines from the Frost Empire who came from a northerly direction. They stormed the gym, in the fire fight that ensued 16 hostages were killed, alongside 13 hostage takers. The Sedunnic Armed Forces who led the attack have refused to release causality numbers from the attackers, as per standard Sedunnic procedure. During the operation 184 hostages were released.
Meanwhile in the central west coast of the island, hostages from Jaques Scuba School were safely evacuated and the Keanuan Marines secured the centre of the island and made preparations for the attack on Jaques Village.
In the South of the Island the Izaakian Special Air Service and Special Boat Service landed to join the Izaakian Navy Sharks. They marched on Hotel Paradiso where a large number of hostages, particularly foreign nationals were being kept. Retaining the element of surprise they managed to secure entry in the building before partaking in some of the bloodiest fighting so far. In the battle 24 hostage takers were killed, and 53 hostages were executed prior to Izaakian special forces securing the hotel. During the attack 5 Izaakian service people died. The operation on hotel Paradiso secured the release of 332 hostages, largely foreign citizens.
Phase 3.
Under phase 3 all combined forces attempted to secure Jaques Village, however the defenders had become aware of the assault and are currently locked down, successfully denying access to the attackers on all three fronts, the Sedunnic/Frost force from the North, Keanuan Force from the West and Izaakian Force from the south.
The assault is now at a stalemate. No further hostages are believed to have been killed, and they are currently being kept at the Terra Firma Base of Operations in Jaques Fish Market Building. King Keanu has flown to the island in an attempt to negotiate the release of the remaining 580 hostages.
