Hattaro Straits
From GothaWiki
The region known as the Hattaro Straits, part of Greater Hattaria, are one of the most historically fought-over geographic regions in all of Anaria. Serving as the eastern route of access into the Medio Sea, the Hattaro is used by civilian, commercial and military traffic alike to transit between the bodies of water. The primary ports servicing it are Porto Imperiale at its eastern terminus, and Oseidon at its western terminus.
The entirety of the Straits is part of the territory of the Auresian Empire and has been since that nation's inception. While the Imperial Armed Forces monitor traffic in and out of the Straits, actions against any vessel in transit are rare, and only on dependable information of illegal activities or illicit goods being hauled. Common Imperial procedure in such events is to seize the goods in question and return the crew to their native territories via that nation's embassy after questioning. The ship is typically sold at nautical auction.
Prior to the formation of Auresia in its initial imperial confederacy form in 4466 RH, the region - of Greater Hattaria was a largely independent Karsk polity known as Aquitania, which had been a sovereign state of its own and had enjoyed considerable prosperity as a nation of merchants, shipbuilders, explorers and scholars. It was conquered in the mid-46th century by the confederacy under the grandson of Adamo the Great.
Under Imperial policy, the Straits are sovereign Auresian territory and the Imperial High Seat declares all shipping is "permitted to pass upon sufferance". The Curia permits no efforts to negotiate the status of the Straits, and the government has made clear that it will tolerate no attempts by any foreign interest to exercise any control over the waterway. Imperial policy is indifferent on the alignment of any non-military shipping passing through the Straits, though vessels are monitored during transit regardless of alignment.
The Auresian government permits military vessels to transit the Straits without restriction if they are from nations on good terms with the Empire. The courtesy of prior notice is requested, and the Navy will turn the vessel or vessels back if prior notice is not given until the issue is clarified between the governments involved. In terms of defense, the Straits are under the protection of the full strength of Battle Group II - ten divisions of troops, one full naval fleet and one full air wing - that are supplemented by the Imperial Transit Militia. Any military vessel of a nation allied or on good terms with the Empire is permitted passage on prior notice. Any nation with neutral relations must request permission. Nations on poor terms with the Empire are forbidden passage on threat of military action.
The Curia has proclaimed since the end of the Pan-Anarian War that it will react with overwhelming military force against any perceived threat to the Straits and will not ask questions first. All responses to hostile or perceived hostile actions are carried out by military forces, not by Transit Militia. This, too, is a correction of practices that nearly cost the Empire the entire region in the Pan-Anarian War.
After the Hellish invasion of Hattaria during the Pan-Anarian War, the Imperial military drove the Haeverist forces out with considerable losses on both sides. Since the conclusion of the war, however, a stronger force is maintained in the region. The entire Battle Group II of the Armed Forces is the alert defence force for the Straits. Forces of the I Fleet are based at Oseidon and forces of the II Fleet at Porto Imperiale, and are a key part of the defence of the straits. These forces have maintained a near-permanent station in and around the Straits since the end of the PAW.
