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View all search resultsBatam-based Marines retake Southwest Papua village from OPM rebels
The Marines secured the safety of teachers and students to resume their school activities after raiding and driving away the OPM rebels.
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Personnel from Marine Corps Infantry Battalion 10/Satria Bumi Yudha pose in front of a traditional stilted house in Muara Oasin, South Aifat district, Maybrat regency, Southwest Papua, after raiding a separatist Free Papua Organization (OPM) base on Sept. 1, 2025. The Marines managed to retake the area from OPM rebels and resumed school activities in the area. (Courtesy of Marines Infatnry Battalion 10/-)
M
arine personnel retook Papuan rebel-held territory in Muara Oasin, South Aifat district, Maybrat regency, Southwest Papua, with an amphibious assault on Monday.
The operation allowed children in Aifat village and the surrounding areas whose education had been disrupted by the presence of the Papuan rebels, to return to school.
The Indonesia-Papua New Guinea Border Security Task Force commander, Lt. Col. Aris Moko said the operation was launched following information on the whereabouts of the Free Papua Organization (OPM) separatists led by Defense Area Command (Kodap) IV/Sorong Raya chief Manfret Fatem, Buaya Battalion commander Zeth Tamunete and Karif Hamid Battalion commander Silas Ky who are headquartered in the Lower Kamundan River area.
Read also: Defense Ministry dismisses Papuan rebel claims in Yahukimo as disinformation
These groups are alleged to have terrorized the local populations by killing civilians, attacking military posts, ambushing vehicles and disrupting local people’s livelihoods.
Aris, who is also commanding officer of Marine Infantry Battalion 10/Satria Bumi Yudha headquartered on Setokok Island in Batam, Riau Islands, said that an amphibious assault was used to attack OPM territory.
“We raided their strongholds. Alhamdulillah [Praise to God], we managed to control everything. They all ran away,” Aris told The Jakarta Post over the phone on Monday evening.
