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Reevaluate Operation Tinombala after Sigi attack: Analysts
Experts have said that while the attack in Sigi was likely carried out by the East Indonesia Mujahiddin (MIT) terrorist group, police investigators should dig deeper into the group’s motives, which could have been to attract local support for their cause and to recruit new fighters.
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Members of the National Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) board a truck bound for the village of Sedoa in Poso, Central Sulawesi, on March 24, 2016. The officers were part of Operation Tinombala, pursing members of the East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT) terrorist group. (Antara/Edy)
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nalysts have called on the government to reevaluate Operation Tinombala, a joint military and police action pursuing members of the East Indonesia Mujahiddin (MIT) terrorist group in Poso regency, Central Sulawesi, after a recent deadly attack in the neighboring Sigi regency put the operation’s effectiveness into question.
Operation Tinombala was launched in January 2016 as an extension of its predecessor, the 2015 Operation Camar Maleo, to hunt down then-MIT leader Santoso and his supporters in Poso. Operation Tinombala has been extended several times and is set to expire on Dec. 31.
The attack in Sigi regency was allegedly carried out by MIT members on Nov. 27 and claimed the lives of four residents of Lembangongoa village, which borders Poso, the main site of Operation Tinombala. Two victims were beheaded and the other two died of severe burns. A venue for local Christians and six houses were destroyed in a blaze, according to the Indonesian Military (TNI).
The TNI deployed a special unit to Poso to assist in a manhunt for individuals affiliated with the MIT.
The police have hinted that Operation Tinombala will likely be extended because dozens of persons of interest, including current MIT leader Ali Kalora, are still at large.
“As of yesterday [Sunday], there were around 11 people who were [remaining] targets of the operation,” National Police spokesman Brig. Gen Awi Setiyono said on Monday, adding that the force would wait for a final decision from police chief Gen. Idham Azis regarding the extension of the operation.
Experts have said that while the attack in Sigi was likely carried out by the MIT, police investigators should dig deeper into the group’s motives, which could have been to attract public support for their cause and to recruit new fighters.
