Chapter 1361: Chapter 657: Defeating the Capitalists with Violent Means!

Bogota, temporary Allies coordination headquarters, the next day’s working group meeting.

General Gerhard von Rundstedt is discussing the specifics of the “Amazon Basin Security and Development Fund” with representatives from France, Germany, and Colombia.

The atmosphere of the meeting is much more relaxed compared to yesterday; Mexico’s “generosity” and leadership have been established, and all parties are engaging in pragmatic negotiations within the framework.

Suddenly, the conference room door was knocked urgently, and a Mexican officer with a serious expression quickly walked to Rundstedt’s side, leaned over to whisper, and handed over a recently received emergency telegram.

Rundstedt’s originally calm face immediately furrowed as he read the contents of the telegram. He raised his hand to signal a pause in the meeting, and the entire room instantly fell quiet, with everyone’s eyes focused on him.

Rundstedt’s voice was deep, “We have just received emergency intelligence: last night, the Irish Resistance Army launched an extremely brazen and deadly attack. They used heavy weapons, including rocket launchers and portable anti-air missiles, to strike the British Army camp at Az.”

“What?!” Sir Johnson stood up abruptly, and the chair legs made a piercing scraping sound against the floor.

“I’m sorry, Sir, but it’s true.”

Rundstedt gently placed the telegram on the table and pushed it toward the French representative beside him for circulation. “Preliminary reports indicate the attack occurred at the early morning shift change. The resistance fired at least five RPG rockets and one SAM-7 missile.”

“The rockets concentrated their attack on an armored convoy parked on the camp’s outskirts and an arsenal storing light weapons, causing severe explosions and fires. Even more deadly is…”

Rundstedt’s voice was heavy, “A SAM-7 missile accurately hit a Lynx helicopter on routine low-altitude patrol.”

The telegram was passed among the representatives, its words shocking:

The helicopter exploded mid-air, disintegrating, with all three crew members killed on the spot…

The arsenal explosion triggered a chain reaction; preliminary statistics show at least 15 soldiers dead, over 40 seriously injured.

Seven armored vehicles were damaged.

Multiple facilities in the camp were severely damaged.

The attackers used the complex terrain and darkness to retreat, with only traces of blood and discarded weapon packaging found.

“The scene was a sea of flames, and the losses were incredibly severe.”

Rundstedt summarized, looking at the teetering body of Sir Johnson.

“The confirmed death toll is now over twenty, including those three helicopter crew members. Many are seriously injured, and the numbers are still rising. This is the most severe single attack suffered by British troops stationed domestically in nearly twenty years.”

“We express our profound condolences!

“We also protest this irresponsible and humanity-defying attack!”

The Az camp is one of the UK’s most important training bases and garrisons in Ireland!

Hit by the Irish Resistance Army with anti-air missiles?

It’s a total shock! His mind was in chaos: domestic fury, parliamentary inquiries, media bombardment, the already precarious government support… and those compensation payments!

Just fighting over some extra funds in Bogota, and now the homeland has been gut-wrenched. Is there enough money to compensate?!

Damn, it hurts so much!

“This… this…” Sir Johnson seemed at a loss for words.

Yesterday, he was here haggling over billions in allocation; today, the homeland has paid with the lives of countless elite soldiers and incalculable military and political costs!

He felt everyone’s eyes on him…

“Oh God…”

The French representative murmured, his face showing sympathy, but a subtle gleam flashed deep in his eyes.

The German representative furrowed his brow, tapping his fingers on the table, feeling something was off.

The representatives from smaller countries were as silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to breathe, but their gazes towards the British now carried pity and a trace of schadenfreude?

General Gerhard von Rundstedt timely broke the suffocating silence, his voice restored to calm, even carrying a touch of appropriately heavy “concern”:

“Sir, please accept my condolences; this is a heartbreaking tragedy, a barbaric challenge to the order of all civilized nations. The Mexican front army expresses the strongest condemnation; we are willing to provide all possible assistance on intelligence and technical levels to trace the origin of these weapons and the attackers’ whereabouts.”

His statement was impeccable.

“Yes! Investigate! Where did those anti-air missiles come from?!”

Sir Johnson seemed to grasp at a lifeline, exclaiming, “The Irish Resistance Army can’t have this kind of stuff! Someone must be behind it!”

“Of course, we need a thorough investigation!” Rundstedt affirmed, “Such advanced weapons falling into the hands of terrorists threaten the safety of all of us. This reaffirms that global security is an inseparable whole. Our fight against Colombian drug lords is for South America’s stability, and maintaining the security of Europe’s core regions is equally urgent.”

He shifted his tone, becoming more “sincere” and “constructive”:

“Sir, I think what your government needs most at this moment is to concentrate its forces, handle this horrifying domestic attack, pacify the people, and pursue the perpetrators. As for the specifics of the ‘Amazon Fund’ allocation and your national logistical support details, perhaps those discussions can be slightly postponed? We fully understand the enormous internal pressure your country is currently facing; Brazil’s actions are certainly important, but the safety and stability of the homeland are always the priority. Mexico and the Allies are willing to patiently wait for your country to overcome this difficulty.”