Albania (1983: Doomsday)

The Republic of Albania, often simply referred to as Albania, is a small parliamentary republic, situated to the west of Macedonia and north of Greece.

Doomsday
On September 26, 2010 the Albanian capital city, Tirana, being the capital of a communist country, was hit by nuclear missile from NATO forces. The Party of Labour of Albania, much its leadership and head, Enver Hoxha, were killed and the federal government collapsed. The end result of the attacks and collapse was the creation of a massive amount of refugees that were displaced all across the country, most of them from the area around former Tirana.

Post-Doomsday
After Doomsday occured and a refugee crisis began, the army units in each prefecture declared martial law, and some of them began to declare their independence. One after another declared their independence and each were controlled by a communist dictator, the rapid rate of independence was so fast, that by January 1984, Albania was no longer a country. The refugee crisis died down in a few months as most got settled in any of the small countries. Each state worked quick to rebuild their economy and military, using old Albanian weapons. The Albanian economy, which had been based largely on argiculture, remained as such, but expanded in this role to make up a majority of the economies of post-DD Albania.

Rebuilding
Following the after-events of DD in Albania, the many states continued to rebuild their economies and militaries as each state remained in balance of one another, none appearing to become more powerful than another. But as the 80's continued and the countries developed, some began outpacing others near them in economic and military strength.

As the 80's continued to develop, major Albanian cities previous to Doomsday regained their status as major economic centers, being in areas already used for large amounts of farming. These cities include Pukë, Korçë, Durrës, Vlorë, Elbasan, Berat, Lushnjë, Sarandë, Gjirokastër, and Shkodër. These cities grew many necessative plants, mainly olives, grapes, citrus, grains, potatoes, vegetables, and the development of livestock. These countries began large development economically and militarilly, and began plans to expand further into the countries around them. Many, such as Elbasan and Gjirokastër, began converting large parts of the local forest into farmland to increase their agriculture production. Eventually tensions between these states and the surrounding lands would boil over into a largescale series of wars.

Albanian Civil War
What is now called the Albanian Civil War was actually a series of five wars fought by the five large Albanian states versus their surrounding neighbors. The wars started in 1993 and ended generally in ealry 1995. The first war was Shkodër vs. Lezhë and Kukës, the second was Durrës vs.Tirana and Dibër, the third was Elbasan vs. Fier, the fourth was Korcë vs. Berat, and the final was Gjirokastër vs. Vlorë. The actions of the war began with each of the states named first previously invading the other country/ies with their armies, and some of the larger states had access to old Albanian helicopters and were able to use those to their advantages.

The first war, fought by Shkodër vs. Lezhë and Kukës, lasted for little less than 2 months, from April to June of that year, and started with Shkodër invading Lezhë. First, the Shkodër First Army, of 7,000 men, moved from the city of Shkodër down to the city of Shengjin, a small port city on the northern coast of Albania. The city was guarded by the Lezhë Third Army, although this army was smaller than the attacking force, with only 4,000 men, they were instruced to hold the city at all caust, with it being in such a close proximity to the capital. The city was fought over for 3 weeks, until the final members of the Lezhë Third Army finally surrendered on May 2, 1993. The Army was however so damaged, losing about 1,200 men, they were ordered to wait and occupy the city temperarily. On April 29, the Shkodër Second Army, 7,500 men, marched from the city of Pukë to capture the city of Rreshen, which they did on May 16. It was at this time the armies were ordered to march south and west to launch a joint attack on the city of Lezhë. The attack on the city started on May 23, and officially ended on May 31, with the surrender of the Lezhë Second Army. Meanwhile, on May 16, the Shkodër Third Army, 6,500 men, marched east to capture the Tropoje, which they did on May 22. They then marched southeast to capture the capital city of Kukës from the Kukës First Army, which happened on June 3. The capture of Kukës by the Shkodër Third Army officially ended the first phase of the Albanian Civil War, but gave some of the other states ideas of how to gain power.

The second phase, between August and December, of the Albanian Civil War was Durrës vs.Tirana and Dibër, with Tirana and Dibër already deciding that the signs of Tiranan aggression were troubling and agreeing to a two-pronged invasion. With a combined army of 14,000 men, the two invaded Durrës, and captured the city of Kruje with slight ease. In response, the Army of Durrës, made of 12,000 men, decided to let the enemy hold Kruje, and instead of retaking Kruje, invaded Tirana directly. The invasion came as a shock to the Tiranan leadership who ordered their army back into country, but after the disorganized retreat from Kruje lead many of the men of the 8,000 man army to be moved all over the country and Tirana quickely fell, as did their capital, New Tirana, which was a military tent city built out of the ashes of the nuked city at the time. Next, Durrës' Army moved into Dibër, whos army had also been disorganized after a retreat from Kruje, and failed to protect the pivotal city of Bulqize and lead to the Army of Durrës capturing the capital, Diere, in early December, ending the second phaes of the Albanian Civil War.

The next three phases of the Albanian Civil War were relatively longer and somewhat bloodier than the first two phases. The war between Elbasan and Fier pitted the two armies, 14,000 versus 12,000, respectively, after a few more months of fighting Elbasan won and about 3,000 people died in that phase of the war. The fourth phase of the war, between Korcë and Berat, armies 13,000 and 9,000, was fought over a few more months and resulted in a major victory for Korcë, losing only 1,500 men compared to Berat's 2,400. The final phase, between Gjirokastër and Vlorë, armies 8,000 and 11,000, resulted in a suprising victory for Gjirokastër, albeit a pyrrhic victory with loses of 3,000 versus Vlorë's 1,200. With the Albanian Civil War completed, the former country was now divided up into five pieces, but the horror of the civil war and the large casualties lead a large-scale nationalization movement across Albania that would set the stage for futur unification, prosperity, and the country's own destruction.

Re-Unification
Following the end of the Albanian Civil War, the Alabanian Nationalist Movement became a major group of political influence and many people in the five remaining Albanian states believed a national reunfication was necessary. After years of the people demanding this, in 1998 the five communist dictators agreed to meet in Durrës to discuss the idea. After the end of what was called the Durrës Conference the People's Republic of Albania was declared, it was a communist oligrachy run by the Supreme Council, made of the five dictators. The day the new country was anounced, August 12, was declared Albanian National Day, and was celebrated until the country's disestablishment in 2010.

Prosperity
The late 90's into the mid-00's was a very prosperous time for Albania as manufacturing was massively expanded on upon as the recently reunited states began to build up not only its economy, but also its military. The Supreme Council was able to pass the Rebuilding Act of 1999 which outlined a large increase in Albania's industry and manufacturing capabilities to be built upon for the next 7 years.

The steel industry came first as iron mines all over the country were either reopened or built, and a majority of this iron was sent to the developing Alabanian cities where it was made into steel, and this steel was used for a multitude of things, from vehicles to tanks. Next came the fuel industry, as large amounts oil and natural gas reserves were soon discovered in the country's northern parts and this industry was soon nationalized and distributed all across the country based on each city's needs. The next few industries were introduced at a fast rate, mainly fishing, construction, and electricity, soon made way for the government controlled arms industry. The government controlled arms factories pumped out assault rifles in the hundreds and tanks in the tens every year. Another place where the economy was booming was the rapidly expanding New Tirana.

just a tent city run by the military prior to, and during, the Albanian Civil War, following the end of the Civil War, it was territory of Durrës until reunfication and afterwards had a population of just 1,200 people. However, after the Rebuilding Act was passed, many people began returning to the new city due to its pivotal position in Albania and acted as the center of Albanian trade. As the city continued to develop under the Rebuilding Act, much of the radiation had disappeared and the government began authorizing new building projects in the city and many new brick buildings, none taller than about 3 stories, were built. In 2004, the government began forced resettlements of people from around the country to work in the rapidly rebuilding Tiranan urban area. By 2007, when all of the government's projects in the city had been completed, the population had reached around 12,000. But as the Albanian economy began expanding, its government began to have potential interests in the outside world which would lead it to a collision course with another rising power in the Balkans, Macedonia.

War With Macedonia
Over the next year, demand for natural gas rose in many urban areas, and the expanding economy meant the Supreme Coucnil thought it was time to break Albania's isolation. This cry was even more demanding after a bitter winter in 2007 left parts of Albania without sufficient food and supplies. In November of 2008, contact with the Kingdom of Macedonia was established and soon the two countries began exchanging ambassadors, and resources.

Details of the actions of Sicily forced the capital city to be moved from Durrës to Elbasan. Demands of Macedonian resources grew as Albania also began demanding Macedonian bio-fuel technology. After the Macedonian Assembly made a staunch refusal to their demands, reports from Macedonian intelligence offices reported of a build-up of the Albanian Army.

In March 2009, Albania began demanding military technology, such as tanks and artillery pieces, but ideas that such weapons would soon be used against Macedonia sparked fury in many members of the Assembly. Reports of further military build-ups along the border with Macedonia prompted the Macedonian Assembly to demand that the build-up be halted and the troops be disbanded, giving them a 72-hour deadline. After the 72-hours were up, on May 15, 2009, the build-up hadn't been stopped and Macedonia declared war, although preparing for defense instead of an offensive move.

The next day 60,000 Albanian troops of the Albanian First Army Group invaded Macedonia, these troops were mostly conscripts, undertrainned and underprepared for battle. Although many thought they could defeat the Macedonians by sheer weight of numbers, but the Macedonian defensive positions and machine gun nests caused a serious problem for the first wave of invaders.

As the rest of the Army Group flowed in, they were commanded by two of the five dictators who soon ordered a massive frontal assault to break through Macedonian lines. As the winter of 2009 set in, malnutrition and dissidence set in as the Albanian Army was halted by the defending Macedonian Army and their tanks, which the Albanian Army had no response to. And then as January came, so did reinforcements for the Albanians as 30,000 more men were brought in to fight the war, and they brought with them tanks.

A renewed Albanian advance in March of 2010 lead the Albanians to capture much of northwestern Macedonia, where they were met with fierce resistance. And while in these parts of Macedonia, they began commiting atrocities on the minorities living in these areas. But a turning point for the war came on April 16, 2010, when the Albanian 4th Army attacked the Macedonia city of Gostiver with a force of 12,000 men. The Macedonians brought in the Macedonian 3rd Brigade, 3,000 men, a detachment of the army that protects Skopje. If the Macedonians lost, then they had lost a signifigant amount of Skopje's protection, making wide open to Albanian attack. But after 2 weeks of hard fighting, the 3rd Brigade finally won on April 30th when tanks that had been brought in 3 days earlier had finally broken through the Albanian lines and captured the Albanian 4th Army. A greater suprise came when it turned out the commander of the Albanians was one of the communist dictators. He was later sent to Skopje for interrogation, where he remained for the rest of the war.

On May 5, with almost all of the Albanian First Army Group either killed or captured, including the second dictator, the Macedonian Army launched Operation Молња (Lightning) with 40,000 men of the Army Reserves and 23,000 paramilitary soldiers, including all of the Army's tanks. After a short artillery barrage, the Macedonian Army advanced, punching a major hole in the Albanian lines. As the war progressed and fighting heated up, as many as 300,000 men were conscripted into the Macedonian Army to invade Albania.

The war finally ended on June 26, 2010, when the last remnants of the Albanian Army surrendered to 25,000 Macedonians at the capital, Elbasan. The five dictators were found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity and sentenced to death. On July 19, Republic Establishment Day, the five dictators were publicly hung in Shkodër and a new government was announced under a parliamentary republic as the Republic of Albania was announced. The people of the Republic were in rejoice as they had grown sick of the dictators and tired of the war. The former PRA was divided up so that the north was annexed by Macedonia, the center was the Republic of Albania, and the south was left abandoned. While the reason for doing this was it was though it would anger Greece to the south, and many were given the chance to be transported to the north, many remained in the south to live a rural lifestyle. The Republic of Albania is today a Macedonia protectorate that cannot declare war without Macedonia's permission and must assist Macedonia when they go to war.

Military
The Albanian Armed Forces are made up of the Albanian Army, Albanian Navy, Albania Air Force, and the Albanian Marine Corp. The Commander in Chief of the Albanian Army is the President, although Albania can't go to war with any country unless authorized by Macedonia. Also, when Macedonia goes to war, Albania must agree to help. The Albanian Armed Forces adopted conscription when the new government was created and currently possesses many weapons that were from the Socialist People's Republic of Albania and have been mostly updated by Macedonian and Turkish technology. As of today, with the conscription based military system, their are 100,000 men in the Albanian Armed Forces, 60,000 men in the Army, 35,000 men in the Navy, 4,000 men in the Air Force, and 1,000 men in the Marine Corp.

Army
The Albanian Army is the land force of the Albanian Armed Forces and has been in operation since the Republic's founding. Many of their weapons are Chinese and Soviet models from the days before Doomsday when they had been allied with either of them. Previously, the People's Republic of Albania had a large conscript army, a practice still used by Albania today, and the Republic's, like that of the Kingdom of Macedonia. From Macedonia, Albania had adopted many military practices, including biannual military exercises, along with semi-privatized arms manufacturing. However, unlike Macedonia, Albania produces most of their own weapons, including assault rifles and tanks, as they have built upon the self-dependence that Albania developed in the late-Cold War era. Today, the Army has 70,000 men in it and uses weapons which are mostly leftovers of the pre-Doomsday Socialist People's Republic of Albania.

Navy
As Durrës was the largest port in Albania prior to Doomsday, a majority of the Albanian Navy remained intact after Tirana was nuked. Albania's Navy makes it a prime reason Macedonia enjoys its vassalage, as Albania's naval capabilities give Macedonia a great naval empowerment in the Mediterranean. Like the other brances of the Armed Forces, the Navy possesses equipment from pre-Doomsday Albania combined with advancements made by Macedonia and Turkey. A majority of the 45 Type 25 Huchuan Class, originally from China before Doomsday, were recovered and many were transformed from torpedo boats to either gunboats, or some were built upon and made into small frigates. Also, the 4 Whiskey class submarines Albania had gotten a small rehaul and were made into more modern vessels. Currently, there are 35,000 people serving in the Albanian Navy, and a majority of the Navy is either in or around Durrës.

Air Force
The Air Force of Albania was a joke prior to the intervention with Macedonia, as most of their aircraft were MiG-19s, old leftovers from the 60's and 70's. During the Albania-Macedonia War the Albanian Air Force went into the air for the first time, flying their old MiG-19's versus the Macedonian's new MiG-21's. As the MiG-21 was made to succeed the MiG-19, the Macedonian Air Force totally outclassed the Albanian Air Force, and this allowed the Macedonian's J-22 Orao's to fly bombing missions against the Albanians. The Albanian Air Force was so outclassed, their fighters simply refused to get into the air. As of April, the situation for the Air Force was so bad, that the remaining dictators ordered all of the Air Force disbanded. Following the War, the Albanian Air Force was reformed so that all pilots were given professional, Macedonia-grade, and the old MiG-19's were given new upgrades into a hybrid aircraft called the MiG-20, basically MiG-19's with the newer MiG-21 engines and some of the new controls and wings. Today, the Albanian Air Force has 4,000 people in it, and uses the MiG-20 as its fighter and the Ilyushin Il-28 as its bomber, also with new upgrades.