2) Church council calls for end to military operation in Papua villages
JAKARTA - Indonesia's military has killed 18 Papuan separatists during an operation in its easternmost region of Papua, an official said on Thursday.
The military seized dozens of munitions, including an assault rifle, bows and arrows and an unspecified homemade weapon during Wednesday's operation, military spokesperson Kristomei Sianturi said in a statement.
It said the Indonesian military sustained no casualties.
A spokesperson for the Papua separatists did not immediately respond to request for comments.
Rebels have fought a low-level campaign for independence in the resource-rich Papua region bordering Papua New Guinea ever since the area was controversially brought under Indonesian control following Dutch rule in a vote overseen by the United Nations in 1969.
The rebels have previously taken foreigners hostage, including a group of 26 wildlife researchers in 1996 and a New Zealand pilot who was released last year after being held for 19 months.
Last month, the rebels said they had killed more than 17 people, saying they were soldiers disguised as gold miners.
The Indonesian military has deployed some personnel in the area of Wednesday's operation to "anticipate movements" from the remaining rebels, the statement said. REUTERS
2) Church council calls for end to military operation in Papua villages
Published on 15/05/2025 GMT+7
Reading time 2 minutes
Author: Gusty Da Costa Editor: Imanuddin Razak
The Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) has called for an immediate halt to a military operation that has reportedly affected three villages in Papua’s Intan Jaya Regency.
According to a statement released by PGI on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 , the early morning raid on May 13, 2025 targeted the villages of Sugapalama, Jaintaapa, and Ndugusiga − located between the Sugapa and Hitadipa districts − resulting in civilian injuries and displacements.
The Evangelical Tabernacle Church reported that the attack left a child wounded in the ear by bullet fragments and a woman injured in her right arm. PGI condemned the incident, saying that targeting civilian areas, particularly those inhabited by church members, is unacceptable and risks violating humanitarian and legal norms, especially regarding the safety of children and women.
PGI urged the President, the Indonesian Military (TNI) commander, the Police chief, and the leadership of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) to immediately stop all armed operations in civilian areas. The church council called for medical teams, local authorities, and humanitarian groups to be allowed access to aid the victims.
In its appeal, PGI also called for the restoration of peace in the affected villages and for support in ensuring the safe return of displaced church members. It emphasized the need for a government-facilitated dialogue between conflicting parties to seek a peaceful resolution and prevent future violence.
PGI stressed that resolving the Papua conflict must be done without violence and in a dignified, democratic manner.
-------------------------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.