2) TNI reports four OPM members killed in Central Papua clash
3) Civilian arbitrarily detained by military personnel in Yahukimo Regency
4) Maybrat Update September 2026: Living in the shadow of the gun
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News Pacific 25 September 2026, 4:20pm
1) 'They just have to get out': Civilians pay the price for West Papua conflict
Tiana Haxton
More than 125,000 people are reported to have been displaced in West Papua as armed conflict escalates, but the real number is likely much higher.
A recent report from the Human Rights Monitor said military operations and armed violence have been particularly intense in the central highlands of Indonesian-ruled Papua region this year.
Indonesian security forces have been in an ongoing fight with small groups of guerilla fighters with the West Papua Liberation Army, or TPNPB, in the mountainous interior of Papua.
A senior lecturer and researcher on South East Asian conflicts said it's the civilians caught in the middle who end up suffering the most.
Caught in the middle
Hipolitus Wangge, an Indonesian who is currently a senior lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia's Political Science Department, said many indigenous displaced people (IDPs) flee their home villages, and are forced to live in the jungle with limited access to supplies.
He said 'the cycle of violence in West Papua' has shown no signs of ending anytime soon and fears that even more people will be displaced.
"So both sides are busy claiming victories and asserting control over the area and its people, which just keeps the tension going," Wangge said.
"Without any signs of talks or mediations, communications, building trust, people living in these conflict zones will continue to be caught in the middle.”
The Human Rights Monitor report documents dozens of armed clashes during the second quarter of this year directly impacting civilians: with drone attacks, shoot outs between forces, and villages burnt down.
Recent reports from Yahukimno regency show that civilians continue to be victims of shootings by security forces. Wangge said that those not killed or injured in the conflict often have to run away.
"You will find districts like Mimika, Nduga, Yahukimo, Puncak, Intan Jaya, those are the so-called hotspots of the conflict. They have been trying to live outside the kind of major battles."
As the report explains, once these civilians have been displaced to makeshift forest camps, the lack of healthcare resources in particular results in even more deaths.
"Many of IDPs are still living in jungles. So they have to survive during these constrained situations living in the jungle with very limited basic supplies," Wangge explained.
Victims on both sides
Wangge said people on both sides can feel trapped between Indonesian forces and the West Papuan freedom fighters struggling for independence.
He noted a particular risk for civilians following reports of Papuans who are suspected of being spies for the Indonesian security forces being tracked down and killed.
"They cannot just choose between one side or the other, because both sides also have some potential or capacity to target these civilians," he explained.
"So they just they just have to get out and then try to find some safety because of the fear, because of constant trauma, because of the instability in highlands of West Papua."
For the indigenous people, the consequences of the conflict are immediate: a home abandoned, a village emptied, a family separated, a community forced into the jungle in search of somewhere safe.
But Wangge notes the exact scale of displacement is impossible to establish as outside access to West Papua is heavily restricted.
The reported figures of over 125-thousand displaced people come from accounts by family members, churches or other stakeholders involved. Wangge believes there are many displaced people unaccounted for.
"It's even higher than the actual number, the ones that have been reported in the media, but nobody knows in this situations because there is no access.”
Lack of access
For several years, Indonesia has rejected calls from the Pacific Islands region for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to send an independent fact-finding mission into Papua.
The 18 members of the Pacific Islands Forum have repeatedly urged Indonesia to grant access since 2019.
Similar calls have also come from the Melanesian Spearhead Group, made up of Fiji, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and New Caledonia's Kanak independence movement.
But despite these numerous requests, this access for the UN rights commissioner has still not been given, and Wangge is not confident the visit will happen any time soon, despite claims by Jakarta that it is on track.
He said "Indonesia is adamant that the West Papua issue should be dealt with domestically, claiming its not up for regional debate”.
"So, it's clear there is a need to finally address this long-standing conflict. But from my chats with some Indonesian diplomats, it looks like the UN visit is not going to be a priority.
"Instead, the Indonesian government will probably go for bilateral talks. Indonesia in this regard seems more interested in talking with Pacific countries or organisations than in real dialogue with Papuan political leaders and organisations."
Hipolitus Wangge said he expects the situation to only worsen as the year progresses, with talks of more Indonesian military infrastructure to be built in the Highlands and southern parts of Papua.
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2) TNI reports four OPM members killed in Central Papua clash
September 25, 2026 18:25 GMT+700
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Habema Operational Command of the Indonesian Military (TNI) said four members of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) were killed in an armed clash with TNI personnel in Balamai Atas Village, Hitadipa District, Intan Jaya District, Central Papua on Friday.
Commander of the Habema Operational Command, Brigadier General Riyanto, said in an official statement received in Jakarta that the armed group was allegedly to be affiliated with OPM Kodap VIII/Intan Jaya, led by Daniel Aibon Kogoya.
According to Riyanto, the clash began after TNI personnel received information about the presence of an armed group around Balamai Atas Village.
Based on the information, Habema personnel then conducted an operation in the area to secure the location and protect local residents.
When the TNI personnel arrived at the location, an armed clash broke out with the group, Riyanto said.
The TNI said four members of the OPM were killed in the clash.
"Two were found around the scene, while the other two were reportedly killed after falling into a ravine during the clash," he said.
According to the statement, TNI personnel also seized several items from the location, including one SS2 V1 rifle, one long-barreled firearm fitted with a Trijicon sight, 50 rounds of 5.56 millimeter ammunition, one SS2 V1 magazine, communication equipment, a mobile phone, and several pieces of field equipment.
Riyanto said the TNI would continue security operations to protect local residents from threats posed by armed groups, including through firm and measured actions.
"The ultimate goal is not merely to address security disturbances, but to create a safe space where people can live their lives peacefully," he said.
Related news: TNI orders air evacuation for OPM victim's widow in Papua
Related news: TNI seizes 21,400 cannabis plants in Papua Highlands
Related news: TNI hunts OPM suspects after Papua driver killed
Commander of the Habema Operational Command, Brigadier General Riyanto, said in an official statement received in Jakarta that the armed group was allegedly to be affiliated with OPM Kodap VIII/Intan Jaya, led by Daniel Aibon Kogoya.
According to Riyanto, the clash began after TNI personnel received information about the presence of an armed group around Balamai Atas Village.
Based on the information, Habema personnel then conducted an operation in the area to secure the location and protect local residents.
When the TNI personnel arrived at the location, an armed clash broke out with the group, Riyanto said.
The TNI said four members of the OPM were killed in the clash.
"Two were found around the scene, while the other two were reportedly killed after falling into a ravine during the clash," he said.
According to the statement, TNI personnel also seized several items from the location, including one SS2 V1 rifle, one long-barreled firearm fitted with a Trijicon sight, 50 rounds of 5.56 millimeter ammunition, one SS2 V1 magazine, communication equipment, a mobile phone, and several pieces of field equipment.
Riyanto said the TNI would continue security operations to protect local residents from threats posed by armed groups, including through firm and measured actions.
"The ultimate goal is not merely to address security disturbances, but to create a safe space where people can live their lives peacefully," he said.
Related news: TNI orders air evacuation for OPM victim's widow in Papua
Related news: TNI seizes 21,400 cannabis plants in Papua Highlands
Related news: TNI hunts OPM suspects after Papua driver killed
Translator: Bayu Prasetyo
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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3) Civilian arbitrarily detained by military personnel in Yahukimo Regency
On 29 July 2026, personnel of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), reportedly affiliated with Kodim 1715/Yahukimo, reportedly detained Mr Ekinus Magayang, 23, a civilian and student from Senyom Village, Kwelamdua District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan province. According to a witness and relatives, military personnel intercepted and searched Mr Magayang whilst he was travelling on foot from the Kali Ahum gold-panning area towards Dekai. The soldiers allegedly took him into custody after finding a photograph believed to depict a member of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) on his mobile phone.
On the morning of 29 July 2026, Mr Ekinus Magayang and a companion were walking from Kali Ahum, a gold-panning area, towards Dekai, the capital of Yahukimo Regency. The two men had chosen to travel on foot because transport connections from the Korowai region were restricted. At approximately 11.12 am, TNI personnel reportedly stopped the two men and searched their belongings. The soldiers inspected Mr Magayang’s mobile phone and found a photograph believed to depict a TPNPB member. The military personnel subsequently took Mr Magayang into custody, whilst his companion was permitted to continue his journey. Following the arrest, neither the police nor the relatives informed the relatives about Mr Ekinus Magayang place and legal ground for the detention.
According to the information received, the photograph had originated from social media and was widely circulating online. Relatives stressed that Mr Magayang is a civilian and had never participated in the activities of an armed group or political organisation. His family described him as a civilian who had been working in the gold-panning area to earn a living. Mr Magayang’s family rejected any alleged association between him and an armed group.
Human rights and legal analysis
The reported circumstances raise serious concerns regarding the right to liberty and security of person under Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which Indonesia ratified through Law No. 12 of 2005. Article 9 prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention and requires any deprivation of liberty to be based on grounds and procedures established by law. The UN Human Rights Committee has clarified that arbitrariness extends beyond formal unlawfulness and includes considerations of reasonableness, necessity, proportionality, predictability and due process.
If the sole basis for taking Mr Magayang into custody was the presence of a photograph of an alleged TPNPB member on his telephone, the authorities would need to demonstrate how this provided a lawful and sufficiently substantiated basis for depriving him of his liberty. Possession of an image circulating on social media does not, by itself, establish membership of an armed group or participation in a criminal offence. Any arrest must therefore be based on individualised grounds prescribed by law rather than presumed association.
The alleged involvement of TNI personnel also requires clarification regarding the legal authority under which the soldiers stopped, searched and deprived a civilian of liberty. Indonesia amended the legal framework governing the TNI through Law No. 3 of 2025, whilst criminal procedure is currently governed by Law No. 20 of 2025 on the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), which has been in force since 2 January 2026. The competent authorities should disclose the precise statutory basis, operational mandate and procedure relied upon in carrying out the reported search and arrest.
Article 9 ICCPR further requires that an arrested person be informed of the reasons for the arrest and promptly informed of any charges, while a person detained on a criminal charge must be brought promptly before a judicial authority. A detainee must also have access to proceedings through which a court can determine the lawfulness of the detention without delay. Accordingly, the authorities should immediately disclose Mr Magayang’s whereabouts and legal status, ensure access to legal counsel and his family, and either establish a lawful basis for continued detention in accordance with applicable procedural safeguards or release him.
Detailed Case Data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-134-2026
Location: Dekai, Yahukimo regency, Highland Papua, Indonesia (-4.8638158, 139.4837298)
Region: Indonesia > Highland Papua > Yahukimo > Dekai
Total number of victims: 1
Document ID: HRM-CAS-134-2026
Location: Dekai, Yahukimo regency, Highland Papua, Indonesia (-4.8638158, 139.4837298)
Region: Indonesia > Highland Papua > Yahukimo > Dekai
Total number of victims: 1
| # | Number of Victims | Name, Details | Gender | Age | Group Affiliation | Violations |
| 1. | 1 | Ekinus Magayang | male | 23 | Indigenous Peoples | arbitrary detention |
Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Military (TNI)
Perpetrator details: Kodim 1715/Yahukimo
Issues: indigenous peoplesRelated Cases:
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4) Maybrat Update September 2026: Living in the shadow of the gun
Five years after the attack on the Kisor military post, various districts in the Maybrat Regency remain under heavy military occupation. At least 15 military and police posts now operate inside villages, many of them in schools, clinics, village offices and family homes. Residents describe checkpoints, drone surveillance, curfews on their own gardens and threats from military commanders. Many of those who have returned to their home villages describe their daily live as living “in the shadow of the gun”.
The most significant recent outbreak of armed violence in Maybrat occurred on 13 August 2026, as armed military personnel reportedly opened fire on an indigenous forest camp in the Ainot area, where a dozen internally displaced persons (IDPs), including three toddlers, were preparing dinner. Mrs Anike Fatie, 47, Mrs Selfiana Sorry, 66, and Mr Silfester Asem, 21 sustained bullet injuries during the incident. All survivors and witnesses interviewed say the shooters were affiliated with the Indonesian military (TNI).
Five years of security approach
On 2 September 2021, Members of the West Papua National Liberation Army attacked the Koramil military post at Kisor, Aifat Selatan District, killing four soldiers. The state responded with a large deployment of non-organic troops from outside the region. Military forces have been deployed to various districts in the wider Aifat area since the violent incident. Posts justified on security grounds have instead produced long-term fear, falling hardest on women and children and disrupting health care, schooling, livelihoods and cultural life.
Most residents fled their villages after the 2021 operations. While residents in some of the districts have partly returned home, many remain internally displaced. The 11 people attacked at Ainot were also IDPs, temporarily living in the regency capital Kumurkek. They had gone to their customary land to fish and gather food.
Soldiers in schools, clinics and homes
Since late 2025, security in the conflict area has been handled by the Indonesian Navy’s Marine Corps, including the RI–PNG Border Security Task Force (Satgas Pamtas Mobile), Gobang VII, 9th Marine Infantry Battalion. Field observers recorded 15 posts, 13 Marine and 2 police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) in the greater Aifat area. Every post occupies a civilian building (see table below, source: independent HRD). Two health facilities, a primary school, a pastor’s house, right next to a school and church, and four family homes are now military or police installations. Villagers must pass armed personnel to see a nurse, attend class or go to worship.
| No | Village | District | Unit | Building occupied |
| 1 | Susumuk (main post) | Aifat | Marines | Pastor’s house, about 5 m from SD YPK Emaus primary school and GKI Emaus church |
| 2 | Kisor | Aifat Selatan | Marines | District office |
| 3 | Bohsa | Aifat Selatan | Marines | Village office |
| 4 | Sorry | Aifat Selatan | Marines | Village office |
| 5 | Fuog | Aifat Selatan | Marines | Village health post (Postu) |
| 6 | Womba | Aifat Timur Selatan | Marines | Family home |
| 7 | Faan Kahrio | Aifat Timur Tengah | Marines | SD YPPK primary school and a family home |
| 8 | Kamat | Aifat Timur Tengah | Marines | Village office |
| 9 | Ayata | Aifat Timur Tengah | Marines | Village office |
| 10 | Ayata | Aifat Timur Tengah | Brimob | Family home |
| 11 | Aisa | Aifat Timur | Marines | Family home |
| 12 | Aisa | Aifat Timur | Brimob | Community health centre (Puskesmas) |
| 13 | Konja | Aifat Utara | Marines | Village office |
| 14 | Bori | Aifat | Marines | Village office |
| 15 | Kokas | Aifat | Marines | Village office |
Daily life under surveillance
Residents describe a system of control that reaches into every part of village life. Marines stop everyone travelling on the main road, search their vehicles and photograph their identity cards and driving licences. Anyone going to their garden or customary land must first report to the Marine post, and once there they are followed by surveillance drones. At times, access to forest and gardens is banned outright because of “security operations”, cutting indigenous families off from food and income.
Community life is controlled just as closely. Every village activity requires permission from the post, Marines attend to monitor it Using mobile phones near a post is forbidden. On 13 July 2026, the commander of the Marine post in Faan warned the village head and officials of consequences for any resident affiliated with the Free Papua Movement (OPM).
The threat of violence is real. In July 2026, a resident of Aisa in Aifat Timur, identified as BM, was allegedly beaten by Marines at their post after coming to hand in two bullets he had found near a villager’s garden. On 15 September 2026, two military helicopters reportedly circled over Aifat Timur Tengah for about an hour, leaving residents frightened.
Together, these measures turn ordinary activities such as farming, gathering and meeting into acts that require military approval.
The shooting at Ainot, 13 August 2026
Around midday, Mr Silfester Asem was fishing on the Kamundan River with two relatives when he saw a drone above the river. When the group returned to their camp in the late afternoon, the drone was flying over the camp. At about 6:00 pm, as the women were preparing dinner, a single shot hit a dog beside the camp. Bursts of automatic fire followed, aimed at the camp.
Mrs Anike Fatie was trying to crawl under a bed when a bullet struck her right shoulder, leaving a wound that reached her head near her left ear. Mrs Selfiana Sorry was shot in the leg, the bullet passing through her thigh (see photo on top, source: independent HRD). Mr Silfester Asem was hit in the right calf as he tried to escape by jumping into the river. He swam to the bank and hid upstream until about 11:00 pm.
Another relative was swimming back across the river towards the camp when two men in green camouflage fired at him. He dived under the water, then surfaced with his hands raised. Following the initial attack two other extended family members reportedly walked towards the camp with their hands raised, shouting: “Stop, don’t shoot, we are civilians.”
About five armed men then entered the camp. Witnesses describe camouflage uniforms, tactical helmets, bulletproof vests and full combat equipment. One officer dragged Mrs Fatie out from under the bed, another tied a black cloth around Mrs Sorry’s wound. Using military commands, they ordered everyone to lie face down and said they would fetch a vehicle, or the police, from Kumurkek. Thereupon, the five soldiers left the site and never came back.
According to testimonies, the family stayed face down for two to three hours before daring to get up. Only then did they find the two women wounded. Early on 14 August, two relatives walked until they found a phone signal to call for help. The wounded were evacuated at about 11:00 am, some 17 hours after the shooting. They were taken to Pratama Hospital in Maybrat and then referred to Sele Be Solu Regional Hospital in Sorong for surgery.
Why this matters
If the testimonies are confirmed, the Ainot shooting was an attack on unarmed civilians who posed no threat. Opening automatic fire on a camp of IDPs, violates the right to life under Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Indonesia ratified in 2005. Leaving three gunshot victims without medical care for some 17 hours compounds the violation and may amount to cruel and inhuman treatment prohibited under the ICCPR and the Convention Against Torture (CAT).
The wider pattern raises further concerns. Occupying a school, a health centre (Puskesmas) deters children from attending class and patients from seeking care. Restricting access to gardens and customary forest threatens food security and Indigenous Papuans’ relationship with their land, while blanket checkpoints, ID photography, drone tracking and phone bans treat an entire population as suspects.
IDPs are owed particular protection. Under the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, IDPs must be protected from attack and supported in a safe, voluntary return. National authorities have the main responsibility for a safe return and for involving displaced people in planning it.
Impunity remains the core problem. Soldiers accused of crimes against civilians are, if at all, tried in military courts, which rarely deliver accountability that victims can trust. Although Law No 34/ 2004 on the TNI says soldiers who commit ordinary crimes should be tried in civilian courts, the 1997 Military Justice Law has never been changed to make that happen.
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