NABIRE — The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (Tentara Pembebasan Nasional Papua Barat-Organisasi Papua Merdeka/TPNPB-OPM) announced the shifting of the main combat operation zone from residential areas in Intan Jaya Regency to along the Trans Nabire-Ilaga Road. This step was taken to minimize the impact of civilian casualties resulting from the escalation of gunfights with the Indonesian military.
"We conducted war in the center of Nabire City against the Indonesian military apparatus from August 2025 until April 2026," said TPNPB Field Commander, Major Aibon Kogoya, Saturday (6/6/2026).
According to Aibon Kogoya, during that period of clashes in Nabire, TPNPB lost 561 rounds of ammunition confiscated by security forces. However, TPNPB is said to have successfully seized back more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, two long-barrel firearms, and killed two Indonesian National Armed Forces (Tentara Nasional Indonesia/TNI) members in the series of gunfights.
The armed conflict spreading across the regions of Intan Jaya, Paniai, and Nabire is said to be rooted in the demand for the restoration of Papua's independence, which refers to the momentum of December 1, 1961. TPNPB stated firmly that they reject the legality of Papua's political integration into Indonesia, which is assessed to have originated from the large-scale military operation following the People's Triple Command (Tri Komando Rakyat/Trikora) Instruction by President Soekarno on December 19, 1961.
Meanwhile, TPNPB conveyed an open appeal to President Prabowo Subianto, TNI Commander General Agus Subyanto, and Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin to immediately halt military operations in Intan Jaya. TPNPB urged the cessation of the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), land artillery, and the clearing of landmines around civilian settlements.
"Our war zone is on the Trans Nabire Road, if you want to look for me please come there," said Aibon Kogoya. TPNPB urged the Indonesian military not to target civilians, women, children, pastors, and to stop the destruction of church facilities in Intan Jaya.
On the other hand, TPNPB issued instructions to the regional government, including the Regent and Regional House of Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Daerah/DPRD) of Intan Jaya, as well as tribal chiefs to halt all discussions related to the exploitation of natural resources. TPNPB rejected the plan to open gold mining in Wabu Block B because it is assessed to worsen environmental destruction and trigger an increase in military presence.
The impact of the extractive industry is feared to resemble the mining activities of PT Freeport McMoRan in Tembagapura, which has operated under the tight security of the Indonesian military since 1967. According to TPNPB, the exploitation damages the living space of indigenous peoples, causes waste pollution, and the impact extends to the Merauke region.
TPNPB National Command (Komando Nasional/Komnas) Spokesperson Sebby Sambom emphasized that all resistance factions will continue the armed confrontation until there is recognition of sovereignty for the Papuan nation. (One Papua)