Sangheili-Jiralhanae war

This article is based on canon information, but the article's title is conjectural and/or uses descriptions as the title, as there is currently no official name for the subject.

Previous:	Human-Covenant War Great Schism
Concurrent:	Blooding Years Created uprising
Sangheili-Jiralhanae war
Conflict:	Post-Covenant War conflicts
Date:	After December 11th, 2552 (continuation of the Great Schism)
Location:	Orion Arm, Milky Way Several planets under control of the Swords of Sanghelios Rahnelo Duraan Carrow Suban Jiralhanae colonies
Outcome:	Ongoing as of mid 2560
Details Belligerents Sangheili factions Swords of Sanghelios Silent Shadow Fleet of Righteous Vigilance Rojka 'Kasaan's faction Various other Sangheili groups Independent Jiralhanae factions Children of Oth Sonin (In peace negotiations) Order of Restoration Voice of Maardoth Various other Jiralhanae groups Rebelling Jiralhanae serfs (Sanghelios) Banished Commanders Arbiter Thel 'Vadam Unnamed Shipmaster Fleet Master Arkad Nar 'Kulul Jiralhanae Chieftain Lydus Prelate Tem'Bhetek† Minister of Preparation Boru'a'Neem† Chieftain Hekabe† Warmaster Atriox War Chief Escharum High Warlord Orna 'Fulsam Strength Sangheili forces Jiralhanae forces Banished forces Casualties Numerous Sangheili soldiers Many Sangheili civilians Prelate Tem'Bhetek Minister of Preparation Boru'a'Neem Chieftain Hekabe Numerous Jiralhanae Numerous Jiralhanae ships

"It was a terrible war. The Prophets provided the Jiralhanae with powerful new weapons, hoping that they would in turn defend their Prophets against our wrath. But when the Prophets went into hiding, the lack of leadership allowed the Jiralhanae to return to their savage nature and they soon began to fight against each other. This lack of solidarity made them much easier prey. Some of my fellow commanders continue that fight even now."

— Sangheili Shipmaster

The Sangheili-Jiralhanae war was a series of scattered conflicts between the Sangheili and the various Jiralhanae factions after the events of the Human-Covenant War and acted as a continuation of the Great Schism.

Background

Tensions and rivalry already existed between the Sangheili and Jiralhanae long before the Human-Covenant war. However, it was the Changing of the Guard that eventually led to actual battles between the two species when the High Prophet of Truth instigated the Great Schism as part of his greater plans. The Great Schism resulted in the collapse of the Covenant, but tensions continued to exist between the Sangheili and Jiralhanae which continued even after the fall of the Covenant. This conflict took place in the form of raids, massacres and some outright battles.

Following Atriox's rebellion and the formation of a military alliance known as the Banished, the Warmaster began garnering support from across the Orion Arm. Meanwhile, the Banished War Chief Escharum turned his attention to Doisac, hoping to reignite and accelerate the Jiralhanae's progress in all political and military arenas.

History

Raids against the Sangheili

Jiralhanae riding Choppers during a raid on a Sangheili colony.

Before its fall, the Covenant Empire had settled the Jiralhanae on resource-rich worlds as their strength and aggressive demeanor would deter other members from getting greedy. However, since the Jiralhanae were technologically limited, they did not have the ability to mine and use the resources they already possessed without the Covenant. Their species was facing a looming famine and they resorted to stealing supplies and resources.

Following the wake of the Great Schism, the Sangheili prospered compared to most former Covenant species. Arbiter Thel 'Vadam and the Swords of Sanghelios had a decent amount of "fortunes" amassed. Many Jiralhanae were not happy with the distribution of resources, and felt entitled to it. Because of this, the Jiralhanae marked them as the perfect target to raid.

The Jiralhanae were divided into separate master packs and skeins, resulting in highly disorganized raids on Sangheili colonies. The Vheiloth Jiralhanae saw the raids as a necessity, while the Rh'tol Jiralhanae glorified their piracy as power over the Sangheili for oppressing them. Several Sangheili settlements were attacked resulting in civilian deaths as well. These events provoked further animosity between the two species. However, Escharum's formative strategy to plating a Banished presence on Doisac before the conclusion of the War of Annihilation proved advantageous for the military alliance, as the collapse of the Covenant and the volatile political landscape on Sanghelios allowed the Banished to be uniquely positioned to take advantage of the fallout, setting into motion their swift rise to power.

Various groups of Sangheili and Jiralhanae would commit massacres against each other out of hatred, resulting in a scattered war.

Massacres against the Jiralhanae

"Now we have but one aim... the slaughter of beasts."

— Resa 'Azavayl