Indonesian Rebels Claim Responsibility for Killing Over 17 in Papua

Separatist rebels in Indonesia's Papua region have claimed responsibility for the deaths of at least 17 people since April 6, asserting that their targets were Indonesian soldiers disguised as civilian gold miners. The violence, centered near the town of Dekai in Yahukimo, underscores the escalating intensity of the decades-long conflict between pro-independence forces and the Indonesian state.

Sebby Sambom, spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), said five people were killed on Wednesday and called on Indonesian security forces to confront them directly in the region. Indonesian police confirmed an attack occurred but have not verified the death toll, citing an ongoing investigation. Authorities also confirmed that two civilians have been taken hostage by the rebel group.

A Region Long in Turmoil

Papua, rich in natural resources including gold and copper, has been under Indonesian control since a disputed 1969 UN-sponsored referendum, widely criticized as illegitimate by human rights organizations. Calls for independence have never fully subsided, but the past few years have seen a sharp rise in rebel activity, including direct assaults on military outposts and arms acquisitions through black-market channels.

The latest spate of violence comes after a series of armed raids, contributing to a growing arsenal in the hands of insurgents. These developments have led to more frequent and lethal engagements with state security forces.

Evacuations and Conflicting Accounts

Local police chief Faizal Ramadhani reported that 35 civilians have been evacuated from Yahukimo, though two remain hostages. Indonesian military officials have dismissed the rebel death toll claims as fabricated, calling them a “hoax.” State media reports have also suggested that no official military casualties were confirmed, adding to the murky and contested nature of information emerging from the conflict zone.

Last year’s high-profile abduction of a New Zealand pilot, who was held for 19 months, has already drawn international attention to the deteriorating security situation in Papua, where foreign nationals and local civilians alike remain at risk.

The Bigger Picture

The situation in Papua reflects not only a colonial-era grievance but a modern geopolitical flashpoint, with Jakarta’s efforts to assert control over a restive, resource-rich territory colliding with growing armed resistance. The militarization of the region, the use of civilian disguises, and hostage-taking tactics point to a deepening insurgency.