1960 Parliament Coup

The 1960 Parliament Coup was a failed coup attempt in Ihazon that same year.

Background

Rising tensions in ideology had been growing since the economic growth of Ihazon in the first half of 1900s, but particularly from the 40s throught the 50s. Together with the boom in population and wealth among Ihazonans, many also felt the increasing divide between the haves and have-nots. An influx in outspoken leftwing advocates arose both in media and in The Parliament, sparking national debates on how far the nation's freedom of speech really should reach, as many warned to the dangers of allowing such discourse openly in the public.

During the start of the 1950s, Ihazon would see political movements advocating an uprising against the government arise, particularly in lower-income areas such as the mining city Gruvania and Langenthal West.
The most infamous of these groups was the Movement for Ihazonan Liberation, who later would rename themselves to the Front for an Established Thoiria (shortened to MIL/FFET). This marked the first time the term "Thoiria" was used in national discourse, and the notion of a new, collectivistic nation gained foothold.

While several protests took place during this turbulent time, it greatly escalated in 1959 after a large mob of protestors clashed with law enforcement in Gruvania, who opened fire on the rioters, causing the death of 178 people, 7 of which were pollis officers.
Following this, the divide between defenders of the status-quo and the advocates for either radical change or a completely new nation only would increase. Throughout the year, Ihazon saw rise to violent clashes between protesters and pollis all around the Central Ihazon area.

The Coup Attempt

On the sunny day of 17. of August, 1960, a large group of armed assailants marched up the steps of the Ihazonan Parliament and assumed control of it, holding all civilians and politicans in the building at the time hostage. The situation was immediately declared to be a state of emergency.

Law enforcement was quick to arrive on the scene, but quickly found themselves at a disadvantage, having underestimated the rebels who had already managed to make a heavily defended fortress in the middle of Langenthal.
The local pollis attempted to call in military reinforcements, however, and reportedly got a dead line for half an hour. Only after connection was reestablished did they find out that MIL/FFET-loyalists among the military ranks of Ihazon had simultaneously attempted to assume control over the military. Several groups of soldiers had been taken hostage by the traitors and threatened the Langenthaler pollis to lay down their arms and surrender control.

The Ihazonan military would, however, manage to regain control of its army after a brutal battle on military base grounds took place. Only an estimated 60% of the army remained fit-for-duty after the clash.
The remaining army would then collapse on the Parliament and lay a quick, offensive siege on the building. After main threats such as machine gun nests and sharpshooters were taken out, the military stormed the building to root out the rebels in a bloody assault.

Around two-thirds of the rebels were killed in this swift and decisive retaking, either at the spot or from wounds.
The remaining one third of the forces were holed up in a highly defensive situation, giving the military and law enforcement forces difficulties finishing the retaking. During this siege, which lasted for five hours, a bargain was struck for the rebels to lay down their arms in exchange for a new, sovereign nation to be established, and thus ending the coup.

The whole situation lasted for around eight hours.

Aftermath

While the official message was that the rebel threat had been officially extinguished, many saw the threat as very much on-going.

In fear of a new uprising happening, legislators started discussing the details of this new nation that they had promised away.
After much debate, and several violent protests happening in the meantime, the Parliament officially declared southwest of Ihazon to be the sovereign nation of Thoiria, at the explicit condition that no acts nor threats of acts of violence between the two nations would occur, in March 1961.

At first, the legislation seemed to clearly distinguish the border so that Kemur was on Ihazonan side. However, claims would soon arise stating that due to an error in the listed coordinates of the border, Kemur actually lie on the Thoirian side.
In an attempt to neuter this conflict, officials of Kemur stated they would maintain neutrality and serve as a middleground between the countries. This was agreed upon by both parties.

After Kemur grew substantially in size and importance during the 70s, the conflict of which side it belonged to again was brought up; eventually escalating to the Thoirazonan War in 1982.