Chapter 1457 - 1209: The Undercurrents Behind Victory

The smoke in Daguk had not yet completely dissipated when the coalition forces under Song Heping's command, like arrows shot from a bow, dashed south with the might of their victory.

Hulmatu.

This strategic choke point that guards the throat leading to Titrick had now become the hottest focus on the map of various forces.

In the bumpy command vehicle, Song Heping stared at the screen with real-time updates of the situation map, showing no joy from conquering Daguk.

His fingertips moved slowly over the complex terrain around Hulmatu, and his brow gradually furrowed.

"Something's not right."

He suddenly spoke, his voice not loud but causing all the staff officers and communication officers in the command vehicle to look up simultaneously.

The young operations staff hurriedly asked, "Commander, did you find any problems?"

Song Heping pointed to the screen displaying the enemy's defense line image transmitted by drones, "Too quiet. According to Daguk, some must have escaped. Given the speed of communication by fleeing soldiers, Hulmatu's garrison should have already taken action. But now, apart from a few irrelevant radio signals, they are as quiet as if they don't exist."

He turned to the US Army captain responsible for intelligence coordination and asked, "What does the latest reconnaissance report from Baghdad say?"

The US Army captain quickly pulled up the data: "According to the latest information provided by the intelligence department, there is no significant reinforcement of Hulmatu's defense works, and the estimated garrison size remains between eight hundred to a thousand. Their assessment is that the 1515 Armed garrison at Hulmatu, due to the rapid defeat at Daguk, has low morale and may adopt a conservative hold-and-wait strategy."

"Hold-and-wait?"

Song Heping snorted, "Did aerial reconnaissance mention any signs of reinforcements moving out from the direction of Titrick?"

"No signs yet. Monitoring shows troop movements on Titrick's outskirts, but no indication of organized northward support."

Song Heping leaned back into his chair, closed his eyes, and rubbed his temples, beginning to think rapidly.

Where there is something abnormal, there is something lurking.

The 1515 Armed are by no means a rabble, and at such a crucial juncture, they couldn't possibly sit idly by while Hulmatu falls easily.

Either the US Army's intelligence is flawed, or someone is deliberately creating this illusion of "calm."

He pressed the encrypted communication button and connected to the channel of the mercenary camp's Commander, Milosh: "Milosh, slow down the vanguard and enhance recon. Especially on the flanks, I suspect an ambush."

"Understood, boss."

Milosh's English, with an Eastern European accent, came through, "I also find this place eerily quiet, so I've already sent Joseph with a reinforced platoon to scout, focusing on the northwest side's 'Tuz Valley.'

"Proceed with caution; I have a bad feeling," Song Heping urged.

"Don't worry, Joseph is an experienced veteran, he knows what to do," Milosh replied confidently, "The recon team has US aerial reconnaissance support, there won't be any trouble."

Hearing Milosh say this, Song Heping slightly relaxed.

After all, the combat capacity of these two elite mercenary camps could be trusted.

Although recruited and formed by the company in Africa, these mercenary camps aren't a disorganized mob of African black uncles, but rather high-quality mercenaries composed of retired non-commissioned officers and officers recruited from Eastern Europe and Asia.

Over the past year, these newly recruited mercenaries were sent to the Hunter School run by the company in South American Venezuela for intensive training, following the PLA instruction model, with a six-month training period before returning to the African base to perform combat missions.

One could say that the soldiers among the mercenaries, purely in terms of combat level, are no less capable than elite unit soldiers in any regular national army.

But he didn't realize that things weren't as simple as he imagined.

Just as Song Heping led the main force cautiously approaching Hulmatu, at the "Victor" camp's US Joint Command Headquarters in Baghdad.

Colonel Kote was staring at the screen, watching the blue arrows representing Song Heping's forces steadily advance, a complex expression briefly flickering across the corner of his mouth.

"He is really cautious."

Kote quietly said to Major James beside him.

James remained expressionless, "Caution is a good thing, letting him live a little longer and helping us deplete more enemies. However, this Hulmatu bone isn't so easy to chew."

"All the intelligence we've 'adjusted' has been handled properly, right?"

Kote asked with specific intent.

James nodded, "Rest easy, Colonel. We've merely 'delayed' some information updates and 'ignored' some peripheral signals. Even when reviewing later, at most, it's a minor error in intelligence interpretation. No one can find fault."

He paused, a sly smile cresting his lips, "Based on the scattered signals we intercepted, an elite unit of about four hundred from 1515's 'Black Flag' Brigade, equipped with new anti-tank weapons, has secretly infiltrated the 'Tuz Valley' northwest of Hulmatu. If Song Heping advances according to our 'safe routes,' his armored vanguard is likely to run into them."

Kote gave a slight nod, "Letting him suffer a setback is also good, this man is too arrogant. Let him taste some hardship and realize that without our aerial support and intelligence aid, he is nothing. But remember, don't harm him too much; Titrick still needs him to lead the charge."

"Understood. Our drones have been monitoring from high altitude, ready to issue warnings or deliver a 'perfectly timed' airstrike if necessary, so he can both owe us a favor and suffer losses."

James responded smugly.

In the American's eyes, Song Heping was a handy blade, but not one that should be too sharp, potentially threatening the one holding it.

Though currently cooperating, their foundation of trust remained fragile.

In the Siria direction, within the Russian Front Command.

Brigadier General Niezov also received the news that Song Heping's forces were at the gates of Hulmatu, along with the intelligence report "shared" by the US Army.

"The Americans are playing their same old tricks again."

Niezov sneered, tossing the intelligence file onto the table, where a stack of satellite photos of the Tuz Valley slipped out.

"They want to use Song Heping as a pawn but are afraid this pawn might backfire on them."

An intelligence officer asked, "Should we contact Song Heping and warn him about the problem in the Tuz Valley?"

Niezov glanced at him and said, "Warn him? Why warn him? Do you really think a small ambush can wound Song Heping critically? Ridiculous! Haven't you seen through the Americans' little schemes? They don't want Song Heping dead; they want to give him a warning..."

As he spoke, Niezov raised a hand to stroke his chin.

A moment later, he added, "Let the Americans dig their own grave! If we are to give a warning, it will be after the fact, just to let Song Heping know who is scheming against him."

As he spoke, he couldn't help but laugh.

After all, the deeper Song Heping's animosity toward the Americans, the more the Russian side would welcome the outcome.

At this moment, Chief of Staff Abramov approached with another report: "Comrade Brigadier General, our 'East' group stationed on the eastern line of Deir Ezzor has launched an attack as planned. Furthermore, the Wagner Team led by the 'Chef' has succeeded in the raid on the west side of Raqqa."

Niezov walked to the large map, scanned the territory within Siria, and finally focused on the east side of Deir Ezzor: "Tell the boys to make the attack fierce and imposing. Since Song Heping has broken through in the northwest of Illiguo, we also need to make our presence felt in Siria; we can't let the Americans hog the spotlight."

Abramov smiled knowingly, "Understood. This way, 1515 will have to fight on two fronts and can indirectly support Song Heping's operations."

"Support?"

Niezov snorted, "We are securing strategic initiative for ourselves; it has nothing to do with Song Heping."

He pointed to the border areas on the map between Siria and Illiguo: "Have our observation posts in the direction of Deir Ezzor raise their vigilance and closely monitor the development of the battlefront. Watch out for any remnants of 1515 attempting to cross the border and sneak away."

"Yes! I will arrange that immediately."

Abramov saluted and turned to leave.

Niezov stood alone in front of the map, his gaze profound.

Although the Russian army and Song Heping's troops would not come into direct contact, every change in this war affected the positions of all sides in the future geopolitical landscape.

In Persia, at the forward command center of the Holy City Brigade.

Avanti was closely watching the situation at Hulmatu.

He was satisfied with the speed of Song Heping's advance but remained highly vigilant about the US Army's movements.

"Song Heping has already approached the outskirts of Hulmatu and a close combat confrontation is expected soon."

Deputy Samir reported the latest situation, "Our 'Bader' brigade's assault teams have infiltrated several key highway junctions northwest of Titrick, successfully attacked two transport convoys, and sabotaged some communication lines."

Avanti looked at the map, his fingers moving between Hulmatu and Titrick: "Tell the front-line troops to continue increasing the harassment efforts. Our task is to pin down Titrick's garrison, creating favorable conditions for Song Heping to take Hulmatu."

Samir asked, "Sir, should we provide more support to Song Heping? For example, share some intelligence we possess about Hulmatu's defenses?"

After pondering for a moment, Avanti shook his head, "Not for now. Song Heping is an excellent commander; he will spot the issues. Right now, the most important thing is to ensure our actions on the southern line effectively pin down the enemy."

"Understood, Sir. I will immediately relay the instructions to ensure all units cooperate with Song Heping's military actions."

After his subordinate left, Avanti picked up a remote control and switched the screen.

It displayed satellite images of the Tuz Valley.

Avanti's left hand instinctively reached into his pocket.

Right now, he could just make a call to warn Song Heping about something amiss there.

But...

Over ten seconds later, he withdrew his left hand.

Perhaps this isn't so bad either...

After all, in the end, it's certainly beneficial to him.

The Americans.

Always so despicable, always thinking the world should be run by them, to let them take the lead in everything.

Hmph!

If Song Heping knew the Americans were playing tricks, he would definitely not see eye to eye with these Ansar in the future.

Yes...

It really isn't bad...