Second Battle of Palermo

The Second Battle of Palermo took place on 25 September 2021 at Palermo between the allied forces of the Kingdom of Councils and the allied forces of the Republic of Ombria. The battle was a strategic victory for The Kingdom of Councils, with the attacking Ombrian force being left at a stalemate in the fortress. Unable to proceed, they were forced to retreat due to higher casualties.

Prelude
Following the Ummarnu War, the Kingdom of Councils was approached by the Republic of Ombria with the offer to buy the island of Inades held by KoC and to connect it to Vastallos. A meeting was held on the island in the town of Animahenge between representatives of Ombria, the Republic of Kush, and KoC, with Kush Collegio Neo building an embassy on the island to commemorate the event.

Negotiations soon broke down as a result of King Zeandro's unwillingness to accept Ombria's deal, which prompted the latter to attempt a hostile takeover of the entire island, incorporating it as part of Animahenge, whose leader defected to Ombria.

When the Kingdom of Councils learned of this move, they quickly dispatched a force to Inades in order to establish a defensive foothold and project the kingdom's claims on the island. This move prompted Ombria to declare war on KoC, promising "full annexation and liberation" of its citizens, an offer that nobody asked for.

Leading up to the battle, the Kingdom of Councils yet again enlisted the help of its allies, notably Kush, Aristios, Novatress and Grizagel, as well as mercenaries and foreign volunteers from realms far and wide. Likewise, the Republic of Ombria called upon its allies in the Huitca Federation (themselves bitter enemies of KoC), Tortuga and even Aldovir, as a result of the uncovering of a Grizagel attempt to gain land at their expense.

The Battle
The forces joined battle on the stony beach of Palermo under its outer walls, with KoC's foreign volunteers sallying out to meet the enemy head-on. The initial battle was a smash success for KoC forces, who succeeded in driving the foe all the way across the water to Stonesburg, all the while inflicting significant casualties.

Meanwhile a separate attack was carried out by Dread Fleet forces via an transportation network underneath Palermo, which succeeded in breaking into the main tower of the fortress, where the attackers found themselves locked in a stalemate with the Kushite defenders, killing some in the process, largely helped by poor troop discipline among the defenders.

In the last moments of the war two members of the Ombrian forces were tipped off about an attack at the capital of the Ombrian Republic itself, Carvay, a couple members were forced to disengage in order to protect the treasures at home, slaughtering the attackers in a 2-5 fight, but not before one of the raiders made off with hundreds of thousands of coins' worth of loot.

The battle ended with the attackers inside of the Palermo war base, which they were able to withdraw from. By that point, both sides had expended significant resources. Since the fortress was still mostly held by KoC forces, the defending side declared victory.

Aftermath (ongoing)
Both sides suffered losses in equipment, which has delayed action from either party. On the international stage, both belligerents initially claimed victory, leading an arbitration committee to certify the defenders' claims.