Operasi Siklon Tropis

DATE: 16/01/2025

TIME (GMT): 18:00

ERA: Cold War

MAP(S): Tanoa

TYPE: COOP

GAME: Arma 3

EVENT: Official

AUTHOR(S): Sclembi for Brothers in Arms

SLOTS: 53 / 74

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RATING: (11)

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The Indonesian invasion of East Timor, known in Indonesia as Operation Lotus, began on 7 December 1975 when the Indonesian military invaded East Timor under the pretext of anti-colonialism and anti-communism to overthrow the Fretilin regime that had emerged in 1974. The overthrow of the popular and short-lived Fretilin-led government sparked a violent quarter-century occupation in which approximately 100,000–180,000 soldiers and civilians are estimated to have been killed or starved to death. During the first months of the occupation, the Indonesian military faced heavy insurgency resistance in the mountainous interior of the island, but from 1977 to 1978, the military procured new advanced weaponry from the United States, and other countries, to destroy Fretilin's framework.  The last two decades of the century saw continuous clashes between Indonesian and East Timorese groups over the status of East Timor. Indonesian nationalist and military hardliners, particularly leaders of the intelligence agency Kopkamtib and special operations unit, Opsus, saw the Portuguese coup as an opportunity for East Timor's annexation by Indonesia. The head of Opsus and close adviser to Indonesian President Soeharto, Major General Ali Murtopo, and his protege Brigadier General Benny Murdani headed military intelligence operations and spearheaded the Indonesia pro-annexation push. Indonesian domestic political factors in the mid-1970s were not conducive to such expansionist intentions; the 1974–75 financial scandal surrounding petroleum producer Pertamina meant that Indonesia had to be cautious not to alarm critical foreign donors and bankers. Thus, Soeharto was originally not in support of an East Timor invasion. Such considerations became overshadowed by Indonesian and Western fears that victory for the left-wing Fretilin would lead to the creation of a communist state on Indonesia's border that could be used as a base for incursions by unfriendly powers into Indonesia, and a potential threat to Western submarines. It was also feared that an independent East Timor within the archipelago could inspire secessionist sentiments within Indonesian provinces. These concerns were successfully used to garner support from Western countries keen to maintain good relations with Indonesia, particularly the United States, which at the time was completing its withdrawal from Indochina. In early September, as many as two hundred special forces troops launched incursions, which were noted by US intelligence, and in October, conventional military assaults followed. Five journalists, known as the Balibo Five, working for Australian news networks were executed by Indonesian troops in the border town of Balibo on 16 October.

In this ahistorical scenario, Operation Lotus (Operasi Seroja) is in full swing. East Timorese capital has fallen and Indonesian forces make steady progress throughout the mainland. It is December 18th 1975 and political echelons have given a green light for the Operation Tropical Cyclone. A task force is sent to take control over Katkoula and Balavu islands. The government urges the detachment to utilise the entire firepower and speed at their disposal, because China started spreading its sphere of influence over the islands. We are unaware of Chinese motivations and readiness to take actions so the units must remain vigilant for any updates in the situation. The most probable outcome will see the Chinese attempt to seize Katkoula island before we can reach it. Journalists present on the islands and their reports may work in our favour or turn the world's opinion against us. We assume the US will remain friendly, but it all depends on our performance.

Armed Forces for the National Liberation of East Timor (Portuguese: Forças Armadas da Libertação Nacional de Timor-Leste, Falintil) originally began as the military wing of the Fretilin party of East Timor. At the time of the Indonesian invasion of East Timor in 1975, Falintil consisted of 2,500 regular troops, 7,000 with some Portuguese military training, and 10,000 who had attended short military instruction courses, for a total of 20,000. The garrison present in AO was supplied with additional Chinese equipment. While their main force is fighting in the mainland, the guerillas in this operation are of unknown stance, they may organise counterattacks or withdraw to form strongpoints. IEDs are also to be expected.

Mission objectives are to secure the two islands - Balavu and Katkoula. There are multiple settlements and installations where Falintil have dug in and it is up to us to push them out of these positions. The capital city of the 2nd island - Katkoula is expected to be heavily fortified so while we must show the international community that we are a force to be reckoned with, we mustn't lose all our resources before this major settlement is secured. We should also expect civilians and neutral forces in the area - it is imperative not to cause an international scandal and lose the war due to political backlash.