Confusing situation in the Indonesian province of Papua. Separatist rebels say they killed at least nine Indonesian soldiers in an attack on Saturday (April 15th). A spokesman for the Indonesian National Armed Forces has confirmed only one death so far. According to some regional media, military reports mention at least six dead soldiers, while 21 are believed to have fled into the jungle.
In February, Papuan rebels of the West Papua Liberation Army had kidnapped New Zealand pilot In the region. The rebel group had demanded that Indonesia recognize Papua’s independence in return for the pilot’s release.
Rebel spokesman Sebby Sambom says he carried out the attack on Saturday April 15 in revenge for the killing of two of its members in a shootout dating back to last month. He also assures that his group had offered to negotiate with the Indonesian and New Zealand authorities concerning the hostage, but did not receive a response. ” The Indonesian government must stop its security operation in Papua and be prepared to negotiate with our leaders under the mediation of a UN agency “Sambom said.
As a reminder, in the region, rebel attacks have increased during the year 2022. West Papua (half of the island of New Guinea) was incorporated into Indonesia in 1969, after a controversial vote supervised by the UN.
For his part, a spokesperson for the Indonesian National Armed Forces assures that the search operation for the soldiers will be carried out with maximum force “. He also specifies that the military operations in Papua had been launched with the aim of avoiding a large number of victims.
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