TPNPB-OPM Accuses Indonesian Army of Running a Silent War in Papua

April 14, 2025 | 08:21 am

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta -- The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) assesses that Indonesian security forces are using a covert war strategy. TPNPB-OPM has stated that around 6,100 combined Indonesian military personnel have been deployed to Papua from January until April 13, 2025.

The spokesperson for the TPNPB-OPM National Command, Sebby Sambom, said that the deployment of thousands of Indonesian National Army (TNI) personnel to Papua, specifically to Timika, is considered an escalation of military action without a valid legal basis. According to him, war has its rules and legal procedures. "If they want war, the DPR and the President must publicly declare it. But instead, they are quietly declaring war and entering Papua. This violates international rules of war," Sebby told Tempo on Sunday, April 13, 2025.

TPNPB-OPM has designated nine areas, including several regencies and districts in Papua, as war zones. Although they claim to be ready to face the increased military presence in the field, TPNPB stated that they have not launched what they refer to as a "total revolution". Currently, the armed conflict in the Papua region is part of a "stage revolution".

"We have not announced a total revolution yet, but the Indonesian government has secretly declared war. War cannot be like this. If they really want war, they should formally declare it so that we can request assistance from other countries," Sebby said.

TPNPB-OPM previously mentioned that around 6,100 combined Indonesian military personnel had been deployed to the Papua region from January until April 13, 2025. This information was conveyed through an official press release by the Central Command Headquarters of the TPNPB National Commander on Sunday, April 13, 2025.

TPNPB-OPM asserts it will not stay silent if Indonesian security forces continue to send troops. "We would rather die than have our land taken and our lives slowly extinguished. That is a genocidal program. We ask Jakarta not to send troops, but to send a negotiating team," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of Information Center of the Indonesian National Armed Forces Headquarters, Major General Kristomei Sianturi, denied the statement made by TPNPB-OPM regarding the deployment of 6,100 combined military personnel to Papua from January until April 2025. "There has been no addition of new troops. Those currently in Papua are troops that are routinely stationed to guard the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border," he said when confirmed on Sunday, April 13, 2025.

Regarding the presence of warship with hull number 524 that disembarked troops at Poumako Port, Timika, on April 12, 2025, according to General Kristomei, they are border guard forces between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) prepared for rotation. "Troop rotations that are retiring as border guards," he said.

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