2016 Watanese coup d'état attempt

The 2016 Watanese coup d'état attempt was an attempted against the government of Watan, specifically targeting president Olavo Maciel. The coup was led by several Watanese National Army generals who had rebelled against the current government and pledged allegiance to the RSP party (Red Summer Pact), in particular Aristides Abreu, the unofficial president and representative of the RSP party. They attempted to seize control of several cities such as Queluz, Alhadas, Foz do Vidal, Telana, and elsewhere, such as the Bridge of Queluz and Queluz International Airport, but ultimately failed to do so due to civilian and military efforts. The RSP cited an erosion of secularism, elimination of democratic rule, disregard for basic human rights, Watan's loss of credibility in the international arena, and unconstitutional takeover of power as reasons for the coup. The government cited Aristides Abreu as leader and conspirator of the coup, however due to lack of evidence, he has not been convicted. Since the coup, the RSP has been formally designated by Watan, as well as several other nations such as Ventora and many East Alutran states, as a terror group. Approximately 70% of the generals responsible for leading the coup have been convicted, with the remaining 30% fleeing the nation, lacking credible evidence, or eliminating themselves. Events surrounding the coup attempt and the purges in its aftermath reflect a complex power struggle between Conservatives and Progressives in Watan, as well as elsewhere in Western Alutra as a whole. The Haksar government has also been called out by the Watanese for reportedly harboring and supporting the RSP, with several Haksar nationals being directly involved in the coup.

During the coup, approximately 459 Watanese nationals were killed, including RSP members, Watanese National Army soldiers, and other armed and unarmed civilians. Additionally, another 38 non-Watanese citizens were killed, including Ventoran, Haksar, and other Alutrans. More than 3,000 people were injured. Many government buildings, including the Parlamento de Vatao building and the Watanese Presidential Chateau were bombed from the air. Other buildings targeted were the Queluz City Police Department, several military bases, the Watan National Bank, and several other miscellaneous governmental buildings all across the country. A mass arrest followed the attack, which concluded with more than 30,000 detained, with at least a third of those being soldiers, and, for reasons yet unknown, 1,249 judges. In addition, up to 27,000 more governmental workers including teachers, EMTs, police officers, border control agents, and more, were expelled from their workplaces after allegedly supporting or sympathizing with the RSP, including those who were married or engaged to those involved in the coup. All in all, it is estimated that more than 80,000 citizens of Watan and elsewhere were removed from their jobs.

Reactions to the event were largely against the coup attempt, both domestically and internationally. The main opposition parties in Watan strongly condemned the attempt, while several international leaders—such as those of the Riyude, the World Forum, Velorenkya, and neighboring countries—called for "respect of the democratic institutions in Watan and its elected officials." International organizations expressed themselves against the coup as well. The World Forum Security Council, however, did not denounce the coup after some found their statement to be biased and therefore void.

In 2018, the World Forum Security Council was exposed to have sided with coup plotters after an anonymous whistleblower denounced the council on large media outlets like APN and WWN. This was supported by the fact that some believe the Security Council may be biased after Watanese official Ram Degalca left the council in 2015, leaving some members of the Security Council to see Watan in a bad light. This further led to more corruption within the World Forum being exposed, eventually leading to the resignation of 9 World Forum officials.

In 2021, evidence that Riyude indirectly may have supported the Watanese coup plotters arose when logs of Riyude supplying Haksarad with weapons came to light. Haksarad had previously dealt Riyudic weapons to terrorist organizations in Ukuta, and this was suspected to have happened with the RSP with an estimated 30% of weapons supplied to Haksarad ending up in RSP hands.

Attempted takeover
On August 15th at around 23:25 WST in Queluz, first reported sightings of military activity would begin. These included armored vehicles driving in convoys throughout the city, as well as helicopters and soldier movement. At 23:35, a military roadblock had been created on the Bridge of Queluz, taking up all lanes of traffic. Watanese Prime Minister Fabricio Martins stated military action was being "taken outside the chain of command" and it was an "illegal attempt" to seize power by "part of the military". He further encouraged civilians to take part in stopping the "illegal attempt" by taking to the streets and protesting. At 23:42, numerous planes at Queluz International Airport reported over air traffic control comms that they had seen gunfire near the north end of the airport. Around the same time, a convoy of approximately 18 armored vehicles forcefully entered restricted areas of the airport, eventually halting all air traffic in and out of the city. Meanwhile, numerous high-level officials were held hostage at military headquarters, including Watanese Chief of the General Staff Joaquim Lígia. At 0:20, Grat Numo Silvas - the commander of the Watanese National Army - was captured in his home after an 8-minute shootout between him and several coupists. Cado Diogo, the commander of the Watanese Air Force, was abducted from his hotel in Prietas, Ventora, while he was attending a meeting with Ventoran officials abroad. He was then transported to Watan via helicopter. Lígia was forced at gunpoint to sign a coup declaration, although Lígia refused. Lígia was therefore taken to Rafaela Air Base, along with several other Watanese officials including Diogo and Silvas.

From around 1:00 through 1:20, coupist fighter jets made repeated laps over large gatherings of protestors and rioters at low altitude in an attempt to thwart them back to their homes. At 1:27, the national police special forces building in Alhadas was bombed, killing 48. Approximately 20 minutes later, the Watanese National Bank building in Alhadas was sieged by coupist forces. Another 20 minutes later, bombs were detonated over the building, nearly causing it to collapse. At 1:29, the Ventoran, Myrish, Ordrish, Velorenkyan, Ta'arohan, and Salian embassies were evacuated by RSP coupists. Later, the Coranellan, Riyudic, Lathadun, and Gemurtrakian were as well. Suspiciously, the Haksar embassy sat untouched, with some wounded coupists even taking shelter within the building. At 1:34, heavily armed soldiers entered Alhadas International Airport searching for Watanese National Navy commander Gonçalo Otávio. After facing civilian backlash, the soldiers began to open-fire over civilian crowds, killing 19. Meanwhile, troops also forcefully entered the Alhadas air traffic control tower and other maintenance facilities and control rooms. Confusion within the tower resulted in the near-collision of two aircraft both trying to exit the airport. All-in-all, 25 were killed at Alhadas International Airport.

At around 1:40, Ruters Square in central Queluz was occupied by coupists.

At 01:52, APN Watan headquarters in Queluz would be occupied by coupist soldiers. There, RSP coupists forced anchor Anália Marianita to read off a statement: "the democratic and secular rule of law has been eroded by the current government" and that Watan was now led by the Red Summer Pact, who would "ensure the safety of the population." The statement read in part: "Watanese Armed Forces have completely taken over the administration of the country to reinstate constitutional order, human rights and freedoms, the rule of law and general security that was damaged. [...] All international agreements are still valid." The statement also ordered temporary martial rule, and said a new constitution would be prepared "as soon as possible". APN Watan was then taken off air.

News sources reported on 15 July that an Alutran source described the coup as "well orchestrated," and predicted that "given the scale of the operation, it is difficult to imagine they will stop short of prevailing." Another Alutran diplomat said that the Watanese ambassador in his capital was shocked and "taking it very seriously".

Government response and conflict
The Watanese Presidential office quickly affirmed that president Maciel was safe on holiday within Watan and that the nation's government was not under coupist control. The Presidential office also heavily condemned the coup attempt and pleaded the government keep its democracy. Maciel was first contacted by APN Watan via facetime at 00:30; however, the call did not last long over fears that enemy forces would be able to trace the call to Maciel's location. Later, at 02:10, Maciel was once again called via facetime on Watan News International (WNI). Maciel would call the "loyal citizens of Watan (to) take to the streets and reject the illegal takeover", and to "protest, riot, and do whatever is necessary … the people have the most powerful voice of all". At the same time, coupist forces successfully invaded the Port of Foz do Vidal and various police headquarters in numerous cities across the nation. Some civilians also reported over social media to have witnessed a loyal WNA Kfir C12 shoot down an RSP-captured Bell UH-1 Iroquois north of Macadin. At 2:18, nearly all Watanese airspace was shut down, and passing air traffic was forced to maneuver off-course. All commercial aircraft inbound to Watan were forced to divert to nearby countries or to return to their departure airport. Some aircraft which were on the ground during the takeover were aggressively boarded by RSP forces and evacuated. Most large airports in Watan remained uncontrolled until the early hours of the following morning.

Deputy Prime Minister Martim Simões appeared on live television, saying Watan's ruling Progress and Development Party (PDP) is still in charge of the government. The mayor of Alhadas, Fernando Carvalho of the PDP, encouraged people to go out to the city's streets in defiance, despite a curfew imposed by the rebel military. Even more loyal military forces were deployed en masse to "hot zones" where coupists had taken over.

From 2:30 through 2:50, RSP fighter jets fired upon large crowds of protesters from above, as well as onto WNA holdouts and checkpoints. At 2:57, a firefight between WNA and RSP soldiers would occur along the border of Ventora, with WNA troops attempting to regain control of Highway 1. The battle would ultimately result in the successful recapture of the checkpoint, and Ventoran soldiers would soon also return to the border en-masse to help regain control of the situation. Because of Ventora's official statement on the RSP being a terrorist organization, Ventoran soldiers would assist WNA troops in disbanding RSP coupists along the border.

The First Army General Command in Queluz stated in a news conference that the WNA did not support the coup and the perpetrators represented a tiny faction that were on the verge of being brought under control. Queluz Airport was closed; all flights from the airport were cancelled. There was an explosion in the APN Watan broadcasting headquarters and gunfire was reported in Queluz. Soon after, it was stormed by a crowd of civilians and police, with four soldiers inside reportedly being "neutralized". The channel went back on air and Marianita, who had previously announced the coup, said live that she had been held hostage and forced to read the declaration of the coup at gunpoint.

By 03:00, it was reported that the military had pulled its forces from the Queluz airport and people were coming inside, but by 03:13, it was reported that tanks were inside the airport and gunfire was heard once again. Tanks also opened fire near the Parlamento de Vatao. The parliamentary building was also hit from the air. Injuries were reported among protesters following gunfire on Queluz Bridge.

At 03:08, a military helicopter opened fire on the Watanese parliament. At 03:10, Watanese National Army stated on their website that they had complete control over the country. However, at 03:12, Martins made a statement saying that the situation was under control and that a no-fly zone was declared over Queluz and Alhadas and that military planes that still flew would be shot down.

It was reported that the Watanese parliament had been bombed again at 03:23 and 03:33. A helicopter belonging to the pro-coup forces was also seen flying by it. Half an hour following the report of 12 deaths and 2 injuries in the parliament, soldiers entered WNI's headquarters and forced the studio to go off air. After an hour of interruption by the pro-coup soldiers, WNI resumed its broadcast. Later, sources said a bomb exploded at a corner of the public relations building inside the parliament, with no deaths but several injuries among police officers.

At around 03:24 two or three helicopters attacked Maciel's lakeside vacation home. According to eyewitness accounts, thirty to thirty five heavily armed men landed and started firing. Police and loyal Watanese military forces had already been protecting the house, which resulted in a shootout between the two parties which left 8 policemen and 12 RSP members dead. Meanwhile, Maciel was snuck out of the house and put on a boat where he was sailed to a nearby airport and flown to Queluz under the guise of a commercial airliner. The aircraft's arrival was temporarily stalled while WNA reclaimed Queluz airport and Maciel landed without further incident. Maciel arrived at the Presidential Chateau at 04:00.