Editing The Squad (section)

== History ==

Schladenberg and Kuşkan were both 14 years old when they travelled to [[Fiji]] in 2022 with their parents' permission. They had read about abuses committed by the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen and wanted to photograph evidence of the regime's treatment of civilians. From Fiji, they took a private boat to Tanoa without telling their families. The boat operator left earlier than arranged after hearing that Tanoan patrols were inspecting vessels. When the boys returned, they found the boat gone and were stranded on the island.<ref name="slade"/>

Near [[Vagalala]], they witnessed Tanoan soldiers beating a detainee at a checkpoint. They fled without taking photographs and abandoned their original plan. While hiding in an abandoned weapons warehouse, they found firearms left inside. Schladenberg proposed using the weapons against the regime, and Kuşkan agreed. They founded The Squad, with Schladenberg as its leader. Neither had received combat training.

A Tanoan patrol later discovered the two carrying firearms near Vagalala and opened fire. Schladenberg and Kuşkan escaped into the rainforest, where they took shelter in an abandoned hut. A contact from the [[Fish Collective]] found them and brought food and drinking water. [[Mark Hugerinus Paap]] arranged to evacuate them, but the boys left the hut without informing the Fish Collective before the evacuation took place.

They subsequently found an abandoned agricultural property in the rainforest and stayed in one of its buildings, eating food left there. During a later armed encounter, they shot two Tanoan patrol officers and fled.<ref name="slade"/>

In early 2024, Kuşkan wanted to return home, but Schladenberg wanted to continue fighting. They became separated during a storm in the rainforest. Kuşkan lost his firearm while searching for Schladenberg, who continued alone because he feared encountering another Tanoan patrol.

Schladenberg occasionally fought Tanoan patrols after the separation, but increasingly avoided them as his ammunition ran low. Kuşkan managed to leave Tanoa and returned to the Netherlands later in 2024.

The Tanoa Einsatzgruppen collapsed on 30 November 2024.<ref name="tanoa"/> Schladenberg then approached a Fish Collective checkpoint near Vagalala while carrying his firearm. The guards disarmed him and confirmed his identity before taking him into protective custody. The Fish Collective subsequently arranged his return to Britain. The Squad disbanded.<ref name="slade"/>