Kariko conflict

The Sinope/Kariko border on the Kariko Bridge/Tunnel link.

The Kariko conflict, (Kariko for Pro-Sinopian and Carico for Pro-Calibrian), is a period of violence and political troubles in the territory of Kariko, a dependency of Calibria. It all starts December 21, 1973, when Sinope ratifies a treaty with Calibria, formalizing the end of the Second Kariko War. Kariko remains under Calibrian influence and control as a dependency.

As a historical reminder, Calibria took control of Kariko at the end of the First Kariko War in 1652 between Sinope and Calibria who was supported by Trentannia. Sinope claims the territory of Kariko since then.

After the Second Kariko War, frustration is palpable from both Sinopians and Calibrians inside Kariko. Very quickly, tensions rise throughout Sinope, claiming that Kariko is also free of Calibrian rule. Nevertheless, the geopolitical situation will remain as it is, to this day, creating a latent conflict that explode in the late 1970s.


The city of Kariko, the main battlefield of the conflict.

Beginnings

The beginning of the conflict in Kariko itself begins in the late 1970s, when a handful of Sinopians decided to protest against the anti-Sinopian discrimination that was highly present in Kariko. These opt for peace track, and organize marches and sit-ins protests.

It was in August 1978 that the events escalated when a march was violently repressed by the CPAC, a Calibrian paramilitary group. Despite the status of their peace rally, Kariko-Sinopians are then abused and beaten while they had neither weapons nor malice.

In autumn 78, Sinopians yet redoubled effort, always peacefully demonstrating on behalf of the abolition of social discrimination to which they are subject. But the Order Orangeman and the Calibrian Volunteer Force (FVC) continue their repression still more violently attacking demonstrators.

Given this attitude, tensions are gaining ground, and 1979 is the year of the first attacks in Kariko. The FVC is the origin of the first attacks, and intends to terrorize Sinopians and thus put an end to their claims.

Unfortunately, these attacks does not halt the Sinopians, who attempts to multiply peace rallies. On 12 August 1979, an event is literally crushed by the CPAC in Kariko City. It counted eight dead and hundreds injured, all the on the Sinopian side. Faced with this deeply deadly event, Sinopian areas are raised, and it is August 16, 1979 in Kariko City that Calibrians answers by burning more than 160 Sinopian homes, killing 8 in Kariko, and injuring 300.

In response, the Sinopian organization KSA (Kariko-Sinopian Army) reply with 22 bomb explosions in Kariko City, killing 16 Calibrians. It is now the escalation of violence and the two sides are not willing to put an end to it...


The conflict is marked by a high involvement of children and teenagers besides grown ups.

In 1986, the Calibrian government decides to establish barriers around the Sinopian and Calibrian neighbourhoods of Kariko City.  The stated purpose of the Walls is to minimize inter-districts violence between Sinopians and Calibrians. There has been a reduced number of incidents of violence since the construction of the barriers. The barriers have many effects on Sinopians including reduced freedoms, the establishment of checkpoints called Portum (gate in Calibrian), road closures, loss of land, increased difficulty in accessing medical and educational services in Kariko, restricted access to water sources, and economic effects.






The 3 Walls of Kariko City with their gates.

U/C


Recent clashes between Sinopian and Calibrian. Shown here a Sinopian barricade.