Kodam IV Diponegoro Commander Maj. Gen. Wuryanto said the Banteng Raider personnel would join forces with other countries that participated in the UN-led peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.

“The troops will serve as peacekeepers and carry out their duties under the UN flag. They will depart for Lebanon on Dec. 12,” said Wuryanto.

He said in their mission, the personnel would not take the sides of any of the conflicting parties in Lebanon and instead would strive to prevent conflict from erupting.

“It’s an honor for Yonif Raider troops to have a chance to join the peacekeeping mission in Lebanon because not all units or troops get the opportunity to [take part in such an] assignment,” said Wuryanto.

For peace and security: Maj. Gen. Wuryanto (center), commander of the 4th Regional Military Command (Kodam IV) Diponegoro in Semarang, Central Java, takes a picture with 427 members of the Banteng Raider Infantry Battalion (Yonif Raider) during a ceremony on Friday to mark their dispatch to Lebanon for a peacekeeping mission. (JP/Suherdjoko)

Wuryanto said the Yonif Raider personnel would be part of the Mechanical Battalion Task Force of Indonesian peacekeeping contingent Garuda XXIII-L under the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Wuryanto said the Yonif Raider troops would bring musical instruments to perform traditional performances during their mission. They were also ready to perform the Kecak dance from Bali, the Saman dance from Aceh and the war dance from Papua. They also planned to show their skills in the pencak silat martial art.

The number of Garuda contingent personnel reached 850, Wuryanto said. (ebf)

Upholding tradition: Personnel of the Banteng Raider Infantry Battalion (Yonif Raider) stage traditional performances during a ceremony on Friday to mark their dispatch for a peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. (JP/Suherdjoko)