Rebel Faction Attacks Andophael Government
Special Report
3200-01-12Susan Pond Ships traversing the Terastont System are collecting reports of political instability on the system's main planet, Andophael. While details remain unclear, it seems that radical elements launched an attack on the regional nobility by infiltrating the governmental residence. Sources say that the Sur Taimur Salim, leader of one of the largest regions in the north, Sana, was the target, though the only casualty was his son. Following the attack, Sur Salim enacted martial law across much of the province in hopes of halting movement of the rebel faction. Government commentary was limited to pre-written press releases reassuring citizens of governmental stability and strength, but it is believed that the leader of the extremists, going by the name of Kasim, was killed in the exchange as well. There were also reports of a handful of offworld merchants being caught in the lockdown. The CS Pursuit and HWSS Nuria filed complaints with system traffic control at being locked down in the southern provinces, and the SCS Uriel's Gauntlet was pressed into service in the province of Sana itself. This attack is the third such attempt on a ruler's life within the last month. Sur Salim was previously targeted, as well as Sur Jamana Hakur of Ramlah, the southernmost province. "We believe this attack stems from a long-simmering tension between the ruling class and the working class," says regional political analyst Dr. Pedro Arispaña. "The survival of Andophael depended on strong central control of certain resources through the Scream, but, with Terastont's reconnection to the sector at large, younger generations have expressed growing dissatisfaction with the political system that controls so many aspects of their lives." Dr. Arispaña also notes that Andophael has a historical enmity with sister planet Hasim, which rebel factions have been using as an example of a straw man the government props up to deflect criticisms of itself. Indeed, although government reconstruction programs have made technical education available to a wide segment of the population, Andophael has seen a large outflux of skilled labor over the past several years. The Northern and Southern Surdoms have been competing for skilled labor, to the point where a few Surs have instated policies of mandatory periods of service for offworld visitors in possession of spaceships and other advanced technology, as part of the landing fee in their territories.
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