United Nations Deploys Peacekeepers In Equanter

UN troops patrolling along the border with Malatia.

United Nations (UN) peacekeepers have arrived in Equanter at the invitation of the Royal Government in the aftermath of the Kingdom brief civil war with Malatian backed rebels.

The Royal Government has requested the UN to send troops to ensure the integrity of its border with Malatia. This has come about after the brief civil war in the Eastern Province reflected the lack of capability of the Royal Government to protect its long border.

The UN troops will be deployed for 2 years and its main mandate is to assist the Equanterian government to secure its border with Malatia.  Known as United Nations Peace Mission - Equanter (UNPAME), the 150 troops under the command of General Delamore from Kingdom of Fabu will also assist the Equanterian forces to enforce security in Eastern Province. The troops are deployed at Bordertown, the only border crossing between Equanter and Malatia, and in Smallville. In addition, smaller UNPAME units will be scattered along the border with Malatia.

UNPAME Commander General Delamore giving a press conference at a border checkpoint.

UN and Equanterian troops conducting joint road blocks in Eastern province.

Security analysts believe the presence of a small number of UN troops in Equanter will not remove the threat of a Malatian invasion. "Malatia has all along wanted to exercise her hegemony in the region. The civil war in Equanter provides a good excuse for a military invasion, conquest and hegemony over all regional states," said security expert Professor Nohow from the Kingdom of Lego University.

"Malatia has a modern and large armed forces. It has the largest number of tanks and warships in the region. I think the first state to be invaded will be the Kingdom of Suva which is located north of Malatia. It makes sense as occupying Suva will ensure Malatia's northern flank is protected from any surprise attack should it chooses to invade Equanter, Kingdom of Fabuland and Kingdom of Lego."

Meanwhile, Equanter is busy rebuilding its military, which has suffered heavily in the civil war. Units will be restructured and additional weapons to be purchased to beef up the armed forces in a possible military conflict with Malatia. The rebuilding of its military is in conjunction with the withdrawal of Kingdom of Lego troops from the country following the end of its civil war.