The Sahrani Liberation Army (short form: SLA) is a REDFOR faction in ArmA: Armed Assault.
Background[]
The Sahrani Liberation Army (SLA) serves as the primary land, air and sea defence force of the Democratic Republic of Sahrani. Since its founding alongside the Communist state in the mid 1900s[1], the SLA has been involved in an escalating arms race against its main adversary, the South's Royal Army Corps of Sahrani (RACS).[3]
Prior to its collapse, the SLA was militarily supported by the Soviet Union and received large quantities of donated hardware.[1][4] In the aftermath of the Cold War, the SLA continues to obtain equipment from its successor state, the Russian Federation, but support by the Russian state pales in comparison to its predecessor.
It has a dedicated special operations unit known only as the Especas, who are usually assigned as personal bodyguards for DRS leaders[5] and SLA officers[6]. On occasion, they have also been deployed on covert missions deep inside Southern territory to sabotage or assassinate key officials.[7]
History[]
Initially founded as a rebel army comprised of North Sahranian dissidents, they fought to free themselves from the rule of the Kingdom.[2]
After the people of the North succeeded in breaking away from the monarchy, the rebel army was reformed into the SLA and was established to safeguard the people of the DRS and its newfound government in Bagango from all enemies - both domestic and abroad.[2]
However, security of the nation wasn't merely the only mission of the SLA. If the opportunity presented itself, the SLA's task would be the liberation and reunification of the South.[3] As the global competition of influence between the United States and the Soviet Union escalated, the DRS (and that of the SLA) saw its interests better align with those of the Eastern bloc rather than the West.[4]
This shift was largely initiated by the South's decision to ally itself with the United States. Fortunately, the SLA did not stand alone against the South; it received numerous shipments of the latest in Soviet-made hardware and technology. For several decades until the end of the Cold War, the two countries would remain bitterly locked in an escalating arms race. Even after the fall of the Soviet Union, the SLA remained in a constant state of high alert, always standing ready for a full-scale invasion of the South.[3][4]
Tensions reached their highest point in 2002, after U.S. forces are invited by the Southern government to establish military bases on their territory.[3] Bagango vehemently protested against the decision but was ignored by both the U.S. and the Southern government.[4]
Events of Armed Assault (2006)[]
Four years after the deployment of U.S. forces, their mission was at last approaching an end to its mandate. With the imminent withdrawal of American troops, the Northern government realised that the time had come to forcibly reunite the divided Sahrani nation.[3][4]
| SPOILER ALERT |
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NOTE: This section contains spoilers from ArmA: Armed Assault's 'Armed Assault' campaign.   The invasion of the South begins. Prime Minister Torrez ordered the immediate mobilisation of the entire SLA, though the actual order to invade would not be issued until June 10th.[4] Barely days after the bulk of U.S. troops departed from the island[8], the SLA crossed the border over into Corazol. SLA tanks blasted their way through the confused Southern defenders and their American allies with relative ease.[4][9] Border cities like Cayo and Tiberia were quickly occupied by Northern troops, while the bulk of the main invasion force continued to push further south into the heart of the Kingdom. First to fall was the city of Ortego to Corazol's south.[10] The invasion force temporarily encountered some stiff resistance from the Americans, but they were driven back to Dolores after more reinforcements arrived to support the front line.[4][11] Dolores was the next major city to come under the SLA's sights, though they suffered another setback when Southern forces destroyed the bridges leading into the city and cut off several of the tank platoons. Fortunately, the delay was only temporary, and the SLA were able to resume their advance south towards Paraíso. Provinces in the east and south simultaneously fell to the SLA's control, though the western regions were still being firmly held by Southern forces.[4][12] The main bulkhead of SLA troops continued their advances through Corinto towards Paraíso and split into two forces, with one breaking off to hit Somato in the west under the cover of darkness. However aside from their tank units, SLA troops lacked access to night vision equipment and were unfortunately intercepted by U.S. troops from a base in Gulan.[4][12]   SLA forces land on the beach north of the airport. Though the attack dealt quite a severe blow against the SLA, the main SLA force was still in position to lay siege against Paraíso. By dawn, the SLA were able to force U.S. and RACS troops into a pocket at the capital, but they were unable to break into the city itself. To break the stalemate, plans were made to stage an amphibious assault along the north of the city.[4][13] The landing force is able to surprise the defenders and almost succeeds in routing them but are driven back at the last minute when American reinforcements arrive to drive back the SLA.[4][14]   U.S. helicopters break SLA defensive lines north of Paraiso's airport. Now backed by U.S. air support, Southern troops are able to halt the SLA's advances in the east and manage to annihilate the Northern amphibious force. The disastrous defeat forces the SLA to abandon its holdings all across the South, and cross back into the safety of Northern territory under pursuit from the Americans.[4][15] However, outrage was being directed at the Northern government and the SLA from all across the globe, as SLA troops had apparently committed genocide against the people of the South. Evidence of mass graves found in Cayo and Tiberia had been discovered[16][17], and the South was calling for a retaliatory invasion of the North. SLA forces had not actually massacred civilians and Bagango denied all accusations - though they obviously went unheeded by the international community.[15][18]   Unable to halt the Southern invasion, SLA defenders at Bagango are overrun. Two days later on the 14th[4], Southern troops - backed by their American allies, cross over the border into the North with the aim of overthrowing the leadership in Bagango.[18] The SLA was forced in a defensive war of attrition but had incurred too many losses from the failed invasion, and traded territory until they were cornered at the capital itself.[19] A small force was able to temporarily drive back the invaders near Tandag, but were ultimately routed when U.S. helicopters wiped out their remaining tank units.[20][21] It didn't help that two other bases on the outskirts of Bagango were destroyed by U.S. special forces[22], and reinforcements inbound to help the defenders at the capital were cut off by American Marines landing on the western coasts.[23] Though they held out valiantly, the last of the SLA defenders were simply no match for the combined might of the Americans.[4][24] By the end of the 16th[4], all SLA troops promptly surrendered to Southern forces following the capture of PM Torrez.[25] |
Events of Rahmadi Conflict (2006)[]
| SPOILER ALERT |
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NOTE: This section contains spoilers from the ArmA: Queen's Gambit 'Rahmadi Conflict' campaign. Prior to Bagango's fall, a small group of SLA troops were able to flee from the capital and escaped to the coast, boarding boats headed straight for the remote island of Rahmadi.[26] President Ramirez, the true leader of the Northern government, had secretly been hiding on the island and was the one who issued the orders for Torrez to invade the South.[27][28]   SLA defences along Rahmadi's coast are sabotaged by USMC SOF overnight. U.S. intelligence was actively seeking to hunt down the remnants of the SLA. They tracked the movements of the troops from Bagango[26][27] and in the early hours of the 17th, struck their forces defending the southern beaches. U.S. special operations crippled their defences, and the bulk of American troops began disembarking onto the shores of Rahmadi.[29][30] However, Ramirez had already been ushered away by his Especas to the island of Porto not too far away from Rahmadi. To distract the Americans, the SLA launched an all-out attack against the base as noon approached, though they were unsuccessful in dislodging the Americans and were routed in the process.[31][32] Ramirez had finally arrived at Porto and was making preparations to go into hiding, hoping to escape prosecution from the international community for his role in the first invasion.[28][33] U.S. special forces were not far behind him however, so Especas were sent into the city to create havoc amongst the civilians - hoping that this would buy time for Ramirez to reach one of the docked ships.[7] However, the Especas were not able to delay U.S. troops and to make matters worse[34], Ramirez himself was intercepted by the Americans. He was subsequently restrained[35], and U.S. troops promptly secured the rest of the island from his remaining Especas units.[36] |
Post-Rahmadi Conflict[]
With President Ramirez' capture[35], the SLA effectively ceased to be a military threat. The last of the Especas were wiped out by U.S. special operations, and what was left of the garrison on Rahmadi either surrendered or chose to fight to the last man.[36]
The dissolution of the Northern government officially came into effect on June 17th, 2006.[4][36] Remaining SLA assets were subsequently assimilated into the South's armed forces.
Equipment[]
SLA Woodland camouflage pattern (Armed Assault)
A long time ally of the Soviet Union, the SLA was equipped with (at the time) cutting-edge military equipment. From BMP-2 IFVs to KA-50 gunships, the SLA was vastly superior to its Southern counterpart.
SLA conscripts and Especas SOF wore Red Army-style combat uniforms camouflaged in the SLA's custom-designed woodland camouflage pattern, along with olive-coloured body armour vests and SSh-68 steel helmets. Vehicle crews and pilots on the other hand, opted to wear simple dark blue coveralls and TSh-3 and ZSh-5 tanker/flight helmets instead.
Though they naturally lacked the aerial or technological advantages of the Americans, the SLA were still a force to be reckoned with. Long after their downfall, remnants of their equipment continued to find their way into the hands of Northern insurgents opposed to the new Queen's reign.
Arsenal[]
Armoury[]
|
Image |
Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
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Grenade Launcher | |
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Surface-to-Air Missile Launcher Diameter: 72 mm | |
|
Assault Rifle Calibre: 5.45×39 mm | |
|
Carbine Calibre: 5.45×39 mm | |
|
Anti-Materiel Sniper Rifle Calibre: 12.7×108 mm | |
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Sniper Rifle Calibre: 7.62×54 mm | |
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Handgun Calibre: 9×18 mm | |
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General-Purpose Machine Gun Calibre: 7.62×54 mm | |
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Rocket Launcher Diameter: 40 mm |
Motor Pool[]
| Vehicle | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
 BMP-2 |
Infantry Fighting Vehicle | - Amphibious - Has dedicated variant that can heal wounded infantry - Variable transportation capacity depending on variant |
 BRDM-2 |
Armoured Patrol Car | - Amphibious - Variable transportation capacity depending on variant |
 Camel |
Fighter Plane | - Cannot transport any passengers |
 KA-50 |
Heavy Attack Helicopter | - Cannot transport any passengers - Aircraft controls and weapons are simultaneously operated by the pilot |
 Mi17 |
Transport Helicopter | - Can transport up to fifteen passengers |
 TT650G |
Motorbike | - Can transport one passenger |
 PBX Boat |
Rubber Inflatable Boat | - Can transport up to three passengers |
 Shilka |
Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun | - Cannot transport any passengers |
 Su-34 |
Fighter-Bomber | - Cannot transport any passengers |
 T-72 |
Main Battle Tank | - Cannot transport any passengers |
 UAZ |
Light Utility Vehicle | - Variable transportation capacity depending on variant |
 Ural |
Utility Truck | - Variable transportation capacity depending on variant - Has dedicated variants that can repair, rearm, and refuel ground vehicles |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Canonically, the SLA's personnel speak in their native tongue (the "Sahrani" language).[37] However, no dedicated radio protocol was ever recorded for Armed Assault's release. As a result, SLA soldiers in regular gameplay will default to speaking in American English instead.
Notes[]
- ↑ The exact date of the SLA's formation is not known. However, a blogpost by U.S. Army infantryman PVT William Porter (2006) confirms that the SLA was established after the North broke away from the Kingdom and gained its independence sometime during the Cold War.
- ↑ Also known as Richardicz. Arrested in the aftermath of Rahmadi Conflict (2006).
- ↑ Arrested in the aftermath of Armed Assault (2006).
References[]
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See also[]
- United States Army (BLUFOR counterpart)
- Royal Army Corps of Sahrani (INDFOR counterpart)
| Factions of ArmA: Armed Assault | |
|---|---|
| BLUFOR | U.S. Army |
| REDFOR | SLA |
| INDFOR | RACS |
| Factions - REDFOR (ArmA: Armed Assault) | |
|---|---|
| SLA | |