TAMBRAUW - The massive movement of the Indonesian military dropping security forces into civilian settlement areas in Tambrauw Regency triggers new tension and raises strong rejection from the local indigenous community.
The Central Headquarters of the National Command of the West Papua National Liberation Army (KOMNAS TPNPB) reports that a fleet of trucks and tactical vehicles began mobilizing armed personnel toward villages since Thursday night, May 28, 2026. This silent operation is said to target the activities of civilians and trigger widespread fear in the midst of the interior community.
Periodic reports from the Papua Intelligence Service (PIS) TPNPB mention that the escalation of Indonesian military surveillance is centered in Fef District, stretching from Banfot Village to the Esyoum II area.
Security forces are reported to have directly occupied civilian settlements and established a number of new military posts without any official approval from the local indigenous community authorities. The placement of those security posts receives rejection from civilians who feel that their social space has become very limited.
Despite receiving a wave of protests, the Indonesian military is said to keep forcing the presence of the posts by conducting acts of intimidation in the form of firearm points against vocal citizens.
Meanwhile, security forces also implement a territorial approach strategy by being involved in the construction of church houses of worship together with the community in Tambrauw Regency. This social blending effort is referred to as a cover to dig up important information regarding the movement map of TPNPB forces.
Security forces utilize daily interactions to interrogate children, mothers, and tribal elders regarding the whereabouts of TPNPB defense headquarters in the surrounding area.
The psychological condition of civil society in the conflict districts at this time is reported to be in a very high level of anxiety due to the presence of the Indonesian military. Responding to that situation, the management of TPNPB central headquarters urges the Indonesian military command to immediately stop all forms of physical and psychological pressure against local residents.
"We warn the Indonesian military to stop intimidation against civilians in villages during operations to pursue our forces," said Sebby Sambom, Friday (29/5/2026).
TPNPB also issues offensive operation threats in the form of shoot-to-kill orders against any security apparatus found escorting civil infrastructure projects. The construction of public facilities such as highways, bridges, and government buildings throughout the Land of Papua is considered to have been fully taken over by the Indonesian military authorities.
The civil work sector involving heavy equipment has now changed into a defense operation zone, thereby triggering an increase in the escalation of armed conflict.
TPNPB even issues strict instructions prohibiting the involvement of Indonesian immigrant citizens in every infrastructure development project throughout the conflict areas of Papua. The migrant workers are urged to immediately clear out from the mountain regions and conflict bases to avoid casualties in gunfights.
This warning applies bindingly to all project executors under the auspices of the central government operating in areas prone to conflict.
TPNPB also declares full readiness to expand the defense guerrilla territory if the Indonesian military continues to carry out the expansion of territorial posts in Tambrauw.
Sebby also emphasizes that the entire defense command network of TPNPB in the West Papua region has been alerted to respond to every movement of non-organic troops. (One Papua)