UIR Comm Blackout

(the remains of the destroyed satellite fall through the atmosphere over the Syrian desert)

Today, Riyadh: The main communication hub for the entire domain of the United Islamic Republic suffered a devastating attack that has crippled most of the UIR's international communication capacity. An enemy naval vessel in the neutral Arabian Sea (the identity of which has not been disclosed by UIR Naval High Command) fired a highly advanced anti-satellite missile at the main space-based communication array owned by the UIR -- the system that supplied communications between the UIR and most of nations of the world. The satellite was destroyed by the missile, causing a virtual communication blackout with the UIR's neighbors, except for those connected by standard underground and undersea land lines. Minister al-Jaziirahh reported that communication among the units of the UIR's military are as good as ever, as well as communication among the civilian population. Al-Jaziirahh said that efforts were underway to replace the destroyed satellite, and he declared that "the sword of the UIR will fall heavily on the perpatrator of this terrorist act.