Southern Raiders


 * This article is about the Fire Navy Unit. For the episode, see The Southern Raiders

The Southern Raiders are a Fire Nation Navy unit with the sole purpose of raiding the Southern Water Tribe when deemed necessary by the Fire Nation military. Their duty is to capture or kill Southern Waterbenders to prevent hopes of resisting Fire Nation rule.

History


It is possible that they participated in the capture of the Southern Waterbenders earlier in the War, although it is equally possible that they were only created after the initial raids ended.

The Southern Raiders attacked the Southern Water Tribe several years ago, searching for a rumored last Waterbender, which unknown to them, was eight-year old Katara. During said attack, their men created a diversion to attract the attention of the warriors, which allowed their commander, then Yon Rha, to interrogated Kya, the chief's wife, as to the Waterbender's whereabouts. Kya lied, and told him that she was the Waterbender, protecting her daughter, Katara. The commander killed her. This incident further deepened the Southern Water Tribe's hatred for the Fire Nation and prompted all of the warriors to leave the Tribe to help the Earth Kingdom win the War. It also gave Katara and Sokka the desire to help their friend, the newly-awakened Avatar Aang, to fight the Fire Nation.

They are currently located at Whale Tail Island with a new leader. They have a different helmet design than other Fire Nation Soldiers, resembling a bird, most likely their symbol, the Sea Raven. They have a special insignia, a Sea Raven. The Southern Raiders have special ships; smaller and faster than the traditional Fire Nation ships, the Raider's ships are perfect for attacking coastal villages. Their smaller size and improved maneuverability allow the ships to pull up close to the shore and surprise the enemy.

The Southern Raiders were tracked down by Katara in the final year of the War with help from her former enemy turned ally, Prince Zuko. They spotted the Southern Raiders' flagship near Whale Tail Island and Katara launched a vicious wave of attacks that left the Raiders defenseless. She then interrogated their leader, who she initially thought was Yon Rha until she realized he wasn't. The leader told them where Yon Rha was and Katara finally faced her mother's killer, settling the score with him by almost killing him with Waterbending.

With the end of the War and the rise of Fire Lord Zuko, the Southern Water Tribe is no longer a target of the Fire Nation. It is highly unlikely that the Southern Raiders are conducting anymore raids.

Appearances and References

 * The Southern Raiders