"The Great Jihad"
The North Africa war zone has warmed up over this past month, as well as new hostilities being seen in the new Arabia war zone. The "Great War", as it is informally called, is spiralling out of control.
In North Africa, the Italian Army launched another vicious offensive against the French army. French Colonial troops and French Foreign Legion soldiers put up a bitter defense against this Italian assault. However, the French were ultimately pushed back in the face of eager attacks, as well as the onset of summer in an already blisteringly hot desert. The offensive managed to push back the frontlines to the old borders pre-war, causing 104 thousand casualties for the French and 98 thousand casualties for the Italians.
Further east in Arabia, hostilities have finally begun. A massive offensive for the Suez Canal was launched by British Expeditionary Forces, with the desired outcome. British troops plunged into the frontlines, with many frontal assaults being launched. Despite their eagerness however, the British were in for a total shock. The Ottoman Forces, despite being seen as week, insignificant, and backwards, put up a bitter and staunch defense against the British. Outnumbering the British in men and having more experience in the desert, the Ottoman forces managed to push back and even advance against the British at many points! The British and Ottoman troops were equal in their fighting prowess and abilities as soldiers, causing great shock to many of Britain's proud military officers. Ultimately, the Ottomans were pushed back due to inferior tactics in the face of British trench warfare, however their near victory in the sands of Sinai proved to be of great value. Many Ottoman commanders have readily accepted the new techniques seen and learned from the British in the Suez. The British claim victory, despite it coming down to the wire. The British offensive caused the British 91 thousand casualties, while the Ottoman Empire received 111 thousand casualties, in part from obsolete tactics.
Furthermore, action was seen in the southern regions of British Egypt as well, with newly landed Boer & Colonial African troops engaging in a guerrilla campaign against Nomadic rebels and pro-Ottoman guerrillas, as well as even scattered groups of irregulars claiming to be on Jihad! The guerrilla campaign has just started, albeit with no results to show for it as of now. Further north, British forces have been reported to be on the various islands to the south of Turkey, such as Cyprus. Reports of British troops emerging from Persia has also spread throughout the Arabian area. The war in Arabia appears to be heating up.
