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Clashes between TNI, OPM continue in Papua amid rising tension
Shootouts between the Indonesian Military (TNI) and rebel groups continue despite mounting calls for security forces to apply a different approach to curb conflict in the region.
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Soldiers take part in a ceremony on Dec. 12, 2023, at Sultan Iskandar Muda Air Force Base in Blang Bintang, Aceh Besar regency, Aceh, before their deployment to Papua on a security operation. (AFP/Chaideer Mahyuddin)
Shootouts between the Indonesian Military (TNI) and rebel groups continue to occur despite mounting calls for security forces to apply a different approach to curb conflict in the region.
In the latest instance, two members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement (OPM), were shot during a shootout with TNI personnel of the Habema Operations Command in the village of Paro, Nduga regency, Highland Papua, on Friday.
No fatalities were recorded as both members managed to run away, according to the military’s press release. The Habema Operations Command also confiscated several weapons and rounds of ammunition from the group’s armory.
The latest shooting on Friday involved the newly established TNI’s Habema Operations Command, which was introduced in late February by TNI commander Gen. Agus Subiyanto to handle conflicts with a combination of “soft and hard power” approaches, Antara reported.
Habema’s information officer Lt. Col. Yogi Nugroho claimed the shootout was in retaliation to the OPM’s constant attacks on a TNI post in Paro village since early 2024, adding that it was part of its attempts to “maintain stability”.
Before last week’s incident, the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) reported there had been at least 12 violent confrontations in Papua throughout March and early April that had killed five personnel from the TNI and the National Police and three civilians, with a further nine injured.
Read also: Komnas HAM criticizes government handling of tensions in Papua
