Chapter 1643 - 1314: Still Couldn't Hold Back!

Ahmed stood in front of the massive tactical map, his finger slowly tracing the dotted line stretching from the Siria border to Titrick.

This supply route, which he called the "lifeline"—the Al‑Qaim – Lake Salsal corridor, had quietly been operational for the past three weeks, delivering a significant amount of supplies into his hands.

"Commander, the latest statistics are complete."

Staff officer Khalid handed over the folder, "Through the new route, we have gained twelve sets of anti-tank missile systems, forty-eight mortars, and four hundred tons of ammunition. Additionally, the elite combat battalion sent by the Raqqa headquarters, fifteen hundred strong, arrived last night."

Ahmed took the report, a glimmer of light in his eyes.

The bitter memory of the defeat at the Bayji pursuit was still fresh, having lost a third of his main force under the joint attack of Song Heping and the Persians.

But today wasn't like the past.

"How many combat-ready forces do we have now?"

He asked, though he already knew the answer in his mind.

"Titrick has a permanent force of eight thousand, three thousand in the Tuz direction, three thousand in the Feihate direction, and a mobile reserve of two thousand." Khalid paused, "Adding the newly arrived reinforcements and local recruits, the total force reaches twenty-three thousand, of which nineteen thousand are combat troops."

Twenty-three thousand.

This number made the tense corners of Ahmed's mouth lift slightly.

In the Northwest Illinois, this was a force powerful enough to change the balance of power.

More importantly, this supply line was so secretive.

Starting from Al‑Qaim Town at the Siria border, it wound along the barren west shore of Lake Sersal, moving by night, avoiding all major roads and villages.

In this way, there was no worry about Song Heping cutting off his supply line at the border.

This was the source of his confidence!

"What's happening on Song Heping's side?" Ahmed turned to the intelligence officer.

"In the direction of Bayji, the main force of mercenaries is still resting. Samir's 'Liberation Forces' have also stayed around Mosul recently, seemingly consolidating defenses."

The intelligence officer flipped through the report, "Notably, in the past ten days, enemy reconnaissance planes have been frequently active east of Lake Sersal, but in the western shore area—our supply line—they have never sent their drones."

Ahmed nodded, this was exactly the effect he wanted.

"I estimate that Song Heping still believes I have only twelve thousand men," Ahmed muttered, tapping on the map at Hulmatu's location, "thinking that after the last Battle of Bayji, we were severely damaged and would surely cower defensively in Titrick."

Khalid hesitated, "Commander, are we being too confident? Song Heping is cunning; his abandonment of Tuz and Feihate to fall back to Bayji is very unusual. Normally, he should reinforce these two salient areas to protect Hulmatu's flank."

Ahmed laughed, like a hunter seeing prey walk into a trap.

"That's his mistake and our opportunity." He pointed at the map, "Look, Tuz is eighty kilometers from Bayji, and Feihate even farther, at one hundred and twenty kilometers. If Song Heping divides his forces to defend these two positions, his already limited troops will be further diluted. We can then concentrate superior forces to defeat them one by one, and he wouldn't be able to aid in time."

"So he chose to consolidate?" Khalid mused.

"Yes, a classic 'concentration of superior forces' tactic. I've read some Lord Dong's military books; I understand them!"

Ahmed's self-analysis was filled with confidence.

"But he overlooked one thing—when he put all his eggs in the Bayji basket, Hulmatu was exposed. And Hulmatu, my friend, is the key to the entire northwest battle situation."

The officers in the command post gathered around.

Ahmed used a pointer to draw a triangle on the map.

"Titrick, Ozham, Hulmatu—these three cities form an almost perfect equilateral triangle. Currently, our men control Titrick and Ozham, while Hulmatu…"

He tapped that point, "is defended by the morale-defeated Thunder Defense Mercenaries and a small number of Kurdish Militia. If we take this place, the iron triangle will be complete."

A young officer excitedly interjected, "If this iron triangle is completed, we won't have to worry day and night about defending against enemies from all directions anymore. No matter which side they attack from, we can support each other and respond in time!"

"Not only that." Ahmed's eyes sparkled with greater ambition, "Hulmatu is the gateway to Elbil. Once we control here, we can threaten the capital of the Kurd people, forcing them to withdraw troops to defend. Their forces are also very tight; as soon as they maneuver their troops, the entire northern situation will loosen, allowing us to find new points of attack."

A wave of eager murmurs rose in the command post.

The atmosphere of depression following the Bayji campaign was completely dispelled.

But Khalid remained cautious, "Commander, I'm worried this is a trap. Song Heping abandoned Tuz and Feihate too easily, almost as if… offering them to us intentionally."

Ahmed patted his most valued staff officer on the shoulder, "I understand your concern, Khalid. But to consider this, one needs to look at the big picture."

He walked to the other side of the map, where the distribution of forces was marked.

"What does Song Heping have? Only two battalions of direct 'Musician' mercenaries, three thousand from the Persian Holy City Brigade, and Samir's irregular troops in Mosul totaling less than ten thousand, with a total force of just over fifteen thousand. And we have twenty-three thousand, holding an absolute advantage."

"He needs to defend Bayji while also monitoring the direction of Mosul; in the north, even the Kurds are superficially allied with him, keeping an eye on Kirkuk. His forces are stretched thin; how could he possibly have the manpower to divide and guard the isolated points of Tuz and Feihate? Abandonment was both necessary and wise. But he didn't anticipate that we've received reinforcements of such scale through the new Siria route."

Khalid was still hesitant, "But if we attack Hulmatu, our forces will inevitably be dispersed. Tuz and Feihate would need garrisoning, Titrick must have a guard, and the attacking forces need to be of sufficient size, this way…"

"True, we indeed will have to divide our forces," Ahmed interjected, "but I have calculated, and every segment will suffice."

He returned to the front of the map and began to deploy:

"Station three thousand each in Tuz and Feihate, constructing solid defense works there. Deploy two thousand in a mobile reserve between the two locations, ready to support each other at any time. Eight thousand will be assigned to attack Hulmatu, equipped with artillery and armored units. Titrick will hold the remaining seven thousand for defense."

Ahmed looked at the officers:

"Eight thousand against one thousand five, and that's on our side! The latest intelligence from our scouts at Hulmatu last night shows that Thunder Defense currently has only about one thousand five hundred combat-ready. With a fivefold troop advantage and heavy equipment, in three, at most five days, we can take it."

"What if Song Heping strikes from Bayji?" someone asked.

"It's one hundred fifty kilometers from Bayji to Hulmatu, even at forced march pace it takes two days."

Ahmed sneered, "By the time his reinforcements arrive, Hulmatu will have changed hands. Then, with rest and preparation, we can counterattack and ambush him."

The plan seemed flawless.

With troop advantages, surprise, and tactical rationality—all necessary elements were in place.

But the unease in Khalid's heart did not dissipate.

He constantly felt that an adversary like Song Heping shouldn't make such a rudimentary mistake.

"Commander, there's one more question," Khalid asked at last, "If the conflict prolongs, how long can our supplies hold?"

Ahmed smiled with confidence: "This is precisely our greatest advantage. The Al‑Qaim – Lake Salsal route can deliver fifteen hundred tons of supplies each week. The Siria headquarters promised that once we capture Hulmatu, the next batch of reinforcements will include tanks and more heavy artillery."

He glanced outside the window, soldiers were training on the streets of Titrick.

"Song Heping thought that by cutting off a conventional border supply line he could starve us, but he doesn't know we've developed a new lifeline that beats quietly in the dark."