1987 Mountain War

The 1987 Mountain War (: 1987 山岳戦争; : ???), also known as the Akitsukuni-Elwhan Border War or the Third Akitsukuni-Elwha War, was a brief border war fought between Akitsukuni and Elwha in early 1987. Elwha launched an offensive against Akitsukuni in response to Akitsukuni's construction of military bases and observation stations within the Skykomish Valley and the disputed Tenzan mountains. The war was also a result of political, economic and ideological rivalries between both countries, as well as historical differences dating back to the formation of Akitsukuni. he war ended with an armistice signed in the Congress of Nations and a formal peace treaty signed in 1991.

Elwhan forces destroyed several Akitsukunese observation stations, military facilities, and one civilian research station on the Tenzan mountains in a surprise attack. In retaliation, Akitsukuni launched airstrikes against Elwhan border defences and military bases within Elwha, prompting a full-scale Elwhan attack through the Skykomish Valley. Initially taking the Akitsukunese by surprise, the Elwhans pushed into southern Akitsukuni before being forced back into Elwha, where fighting continued in the Elwhan lowlands. Upon Akitsukuni's invasion of Elwha, however, Elwha's ally Sisimut began carrying out military mobilisation exercises on the Akitsukuni-Sisimut border, which quickly escalated into a large-scale stand-off involving nuclear weapons, also drawing in Nochtlico.

Due to the major escalation of the situation, Akitsukuni's major ally Meisaan requested that they back down in the conflict in exchange for Meisaan lobbying the Congress of Nations to apply sanctions on Elwha. In late April, Akitsukunese forces withdrew from Elwha to defensive positions along the border. On the 5th of May, an armistice was signed between Akitsukuni and Elwha, though low-level skirmishes would continue until 1991.

The actual strategic outcome of the war is heavily contested, with neither side gaining any tangible benefit and both sides claiming victory in the conflict. The conflict cemented Akitsukuni's place in the region as an outlier state, though demonstrated the Akitsukunese's unwillingness to back down in such a situation. Shortly after the war, Akitsukuni underwent severe political turmoil, resulting in a military government that remained until 1991. Akitsukuni's traditional ally, Meisaan, also distanced itself from the Empire following the conflict, due to the closeness that Akitsukuni brought the region to nuclear war. On the other side, the conflict resulted in closer ties and cooperation between the native-populated Uju states, perceiving Akitsukuni as a dangerous and common rival. One major issue that was not resolved, however, was the territorial issues that were at the heart of the entire conflict. Many areas of the Tenzan mountain range remain disputed between Akitsukuni and Elwha to this day.

Akitsukuni in Uju and the Uju Massacre
Holocaust of the natives during Eulhae.

Akitsukuni-Elwha border disputes
Meisaan owned Elwha, and negotiated the border with their ally Akitsukuni during the colonial period. However, over time the border has come into question and large areas of the Tenzan mountains have come under dispute.

Sisimut-Akitsukuni relations
Sisimut was JUST WAITING to start the fight with Akitsukuni.

Uju Crisis
Main article: Uju Crisis

Akitsukuni-Elwhan relations
Continued border disputes

In popular culture
The Akitsukunese war epic, Bloodstained Glory on Ice Mountain, is set during the 1987 Mountain War.