The Syndikat, later reformed into L'Ensemble, is an INDFOR faction in ArmA 3. It was added with the release of the Apex DLC.
Overview[]
« | Positioned as the primary opposing force, Syndikat is a local criminal organization with deep roots on Tanoa. Made up of armed thugs and ex-paramilitaries, this new faction is involved in many illicit operations throughout the region, carrying mostly ‘classic’ weaponry such as AKs, RPGs, and 9 mm pistols. Official ArmA 3 Apex site description
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Background[]
An amalgamation of anti-government extremists, smugglers, and ex-paramilitaries, the Syndikat is a criminal organisation that operates in the Horizon Islands.[1] They have expanded throughout the Tanoa Province and other neighbouring regions, targeting Non-Government Organisation (NGO) run camps[2] and anyone else that opposes them; particularly members of the Horizon Islands' law enforcement agencies.[3][4]
Structure[]
The key leader that holds Syndikat together is Solomon Maru, also known by his alias of "Warlock". He was a former member of the failed "Red Tiger" coup which attempted to topple a North African government almost a decade prior to the South Pacific Disaster.
Additionally, the organisation's leadership is further comprised of several members that together form Syndikat's so-called "Inner Circle":
- Unknown male, alias "Jackdaw". Has two subordinates assigned to his command:
- Joe Jonathan, alias "Goodluck"
- Patrice Mort, no alias assigned
- Felix Umbeba, no alias assigned. Has three subordinates assigned under him:
- Thierry Koula, alias "Gunner"
- Freddie Boa, no alias assigned
- Thibault Evra, no alias assigned
- Winston Ba, alias "Bapa". Has been placed in charge of four subordinates:
- Samual Jo, possible alias "Samjo"
- Jacques Cod, no alias assigned
- Christian Wagu, no alias assigned
- Yoris Yan, alias "JJ"
- Nicholas Rey, alias "Nikolai". Has not been assigned command over any subordinates.
Though the exact size and composition of the Syndikat is not known, the group mostly consists of scattered insurgent groups operating in small cells directly under Warlock's control. The bulk of their forces mainly consist of anti-government paramilitary types mixed in with bandits, petty criminals, as well as drugs and weapon smugglers.[1]
Reformation[]
In the three years following the crisis, several of the Syndikat's former leaders have united together with anti-government political groups and now refer to themselves as the L'Ensemble movement.[5]
Rallying under the common goal of fighting to "liberate" the Horizon Islands from "neo-colonial oppressors", the organisation regularly conducts sporadic attacks against both government forces and their foreign advisers.[6]
They still engage in arms smuggling throughout the region. However, they have also begun to focus increasingly on expanding into the grey market. Due to the recent outbreak of a super-strain of malaria that has caused a surge in demand, they sell medical contraband in the form of cheap anti-malaria medicines.[7][8]
History[]
It initially began as a sizeable insurgent force that would strike from the depths of Tanoa's western jungles, making it difficult for the government forces to hunt them down.[4]
The movement quickly grew in size over time and would eventually prove to be too much for the now-outgunned Gendarmerie to handle. In the immediate aftermath of the South Pacific Disaster[9], Syndikat would quickly gain control over much of the province's western islands.[4]
Events of Apex Protocol (2035)[]
SPOILER ALERT | ||||||
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NOTE: This section contains spoilers from ArmA 3 Apex's 'Apex Protocol' campaign. Under the guise of participating in counter insurgency operations for the joint NATO/Tanoan "Safe Horizon" exercise, CTRG move to retrieve a critical asset captured by the Syndikat.[10][1] After numerous run-ins and intelligence retrieved from raiding Syndikat hideouts, it is eventually discovered that the source behind their successes is none other than Viper Team, an elite CSAT special operations force that has been assisting Syndikat in their attempt to destabilise Tanoa.[9]
Relations begin to sour between the two sides however, after a high ranking member is executed by Viper Team following numerous disagreements and failures from Syndikat in light of the attacks by CTRG. This eventually results in both factions fighting against one another. After Solomon finally discovers where the primary CSAT black site was hidden, his forces raid the site and kill the remaining operatives. He takes the Eastwind device with him along with vital documents regarding CSAT's so-called "Apex Protocol" plans.[9]
Intending to blackmail Viper Team with both, they demand a large monetary and hardware ransom in exchange for its return, arranging for a secret meeting to be held at the Blue Pearl Industrial Port on the main island. Unfortunately for Syndikat, the meeting is interrupted by CTRG forces who manage to locate the site of the deal and assassinate Solomon Maru once and for all, dealing a heavy blow to the organisation.[9] |
Post-Apex Protocol[]
The exposure of the "Apex Protocol" documents revealed how CSAT members covertly supplied and assisted the Syndikat in undermining the sovereignty of the Horizon Islands government. CTRG's constant attacks have resulted in the death of Syndikat's leader and remaining senior officers. The destruction of their hidden caches has effectively neutralised the organisation's sole source of income.
As the government and its NATO allies continue to push forward with their efforts to stamp out the Syndikat, it remains doubtful that the organisation's remnants will survive for much longer.
Events of Old Man (2038)[]
Though Maru's death had almost resulted in a total collapse to the group as a whole, its remaining leaders eventually banded together what was left of the Syndikat with other anti-government movements.[5]
Reforming themselves into the "L'Ensemble", the group continued to engage primarily in arms smuggling as before but kept a low profile, and only targeting specific pro-CSAT politicians.[11] The organisation, seen as interchangeable to that of the former Syndikat by the population, maintained the violent methods of the criminal organisation that preceded it. Tactics ranging from physical torture to the massacre of entire settlements and the "feeding" of individuals to crocodiles are widespread.[12]
However by mid-2038, a super-strain of malaria unexpectedly strikes the country, with the Tanoa province being particularly hit hard. Hundreds are infected within a matter of days and perish soon after.[5] With a lack in supply and a sudden surge in demand for anti-malaria medication, L'Ensemble were only too happy to oblige, smuggling plentiful amounts of cheap medicine via the grey market trade.[8]
Meanwhile, a dramatic shift in domestic politics was taking place at the highest levels of government. The retirement of former president, Benjamin Hope, would see the country gradually shift towards favouring better relations with CSAT. As the outbreak worsened, the new government would be forced to accept demands from the coalition to allow for a military buildup in the nation.[13]
« | Two strategic radar buildings, protected by CSAT soldiers, have been destroyed in a series of audacious raids. L'Ensemble, widely believed to be behind the attacks, denied involvement and instead proclaimed ordinary Tanoans were taking up arms in a spontaneous fight against neo-colonial oppressors. Radio reports on the group's latest attacks
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This act was not viewed favourably by the majority of people throughout the Horizon Islands, with mass anti-government demonstrations and riots often turning bloody.[13][14] L'Ensemble took advantage of this growing chaos to raise the movement into the spotlight once more.[12][15]
Attacks against government and CSAT forces have continued to rise in recent weeks[16][17][18], with the government accusing L'Ensemble of having carried out the attacks. The movement's representatives have rejected all accusations; insisting that the people of the Horizon Islands were merely rising up to overthrow the government's tyranny.[6]
Equipment[]
The Syndikat rely on a variety of sources for their hardware - from arms smuggler rings in the South Pacific region to supplies covertly provided to them by CSAT members and other criminal groups.
The group's equipment ranges from outdated Soviet-era weapons such as AKM assault rifles, AKS-74U carbines, Makarov PM handguns, and RPG-7 rocket launchers, to even the latest in Russian-made small arms like the AK-12 assault rifle. With their main weapons primarily chambered in 7.62×39 mm, this provides them a considerable firepower advantage against the Gendarmerie who mostly rely on weapons chambered in handgun calibres.
Regular guerillas and drug smugglers wear an assortment of civilian clothing and military fatigues, but the more experienced paramilitary troops (composed of former coup members) can be distinguished by their distinctive Red Tigerstripe-patterned uniforms.
Many lack military-grade body armour and wear bandoliers or chest rigs. The few that do retain access to personal protective vests, however, opt to don tactical vests smuggled from abroad or stolen from the Gendarmerie. They lack heavy weapons such as mortars and rely more on their ability to melt back into the thick jungle in order to avoid large-scale engagements against the Gendarmerie and NATO peacekeepers.
With their origins as a drug-running cartel, Syndikat have extensive supply lines that require fast vehicles capable of transporting their illegal cargo. They mostly rely small aircraft such as the Caesar BTT light planes and M900 helicopters. Ground vehicles range from the MB 4WD jeep to technicals and quadbikes as fast transport/light strike vehicles, as well as commercial Vans and Trucks for larger infantry transport or smuggling vehicles. For waterborne travel they utilise RHIB vessels, which are suitable for sailing through the narrow waterways of Tanoa.
Reformation[]
With the remnants of Syndikat reformed into L'Ensemble, most of their equipment remains largely unchanged. Due in part to their extensive arms smuggling network, the movement's fighters remain just as well-equipped as their predecessors.
As before, most fighters do not retain access to mil-spec ballistic vests, and rely exclusively on tactical chest rigs and hunting vests. On some rare occasions, fighters repurpose load bearing vests salvaged in ambushes against isolated CSAT patrols and raided government facilities.
They continue to wield a myriad of imported firearms ranging from Kozlice shotguns to Russian AKs, though the group has also begun to acquire more exotic weapons such as German-made SPAR-16 rifles, supplied to them covertly by sympathetic foreign organisations.
Gallery[]
Notes[]
- ↑ Unknown date of establishment. However, it is known to have formed prior to the events of Apex Protocol (2035) and after Solomon Maru's failed coup d'etat in the unnamed North African country.
- ↑ Exact date of formation is not known, though L'Ensemble's establishment cannot occur any earlier than after the events of Apex Protocol (2035).
- ↑ Assassinated in August 2035 during the events of Apex Protocol (2035).
References[]
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External links[]
See also[]
- FIA (BLUFOR counterpart)
- Gendarmerie (REDFOR counterpart)
Factions of ArmA 3 | |
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BLUFOR | NATO • CTRG • FIA • Gendarmerie |
REDFOR | CSAT • Gendarmerie • Russian Spetsnaz • Viper |
INDFOR | AAF • LDF • Syndikat |
Apex DLC | Contact DLC |
Factions - INDFOR (ArmA 3) | |
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AAF • LDF • Syndikat | |
Apex DLC | Contact DLC |