Posted on 27 April 2023
Last week, over a dozen Indonesian soldiers aiming to rescue New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens have been reported as captured or killed when ambushed by Papuan separatist rebels.
The Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Yudo Margono told reporters the operation was intended to be a “law enforcement” rather than a military one, but now the TNI have increased its operational status to “ground combat ready” in anticipation of further conflict.
The separatist group are demanding Indonesia to halt their attempts at retrieving the pilot, and rebel spokesman, Sebby Sambom, has urged the United Nations and New Zealand government to put pressure on Indonesia to end the military operation. The West Papua rebels ultimately seek Indonesian recognition of Papuan independence as a condition for releasing Mehrtens.