SUGAPA - Indonesian military personnel have taken over Saint Paul Nabuni Mbamogo Catholic Church in Intan Jaya Regency since June 26, 2026 at 23:00 local time. The land and air operations taking place in Agisiga District have triggered a wave of civilian displacement to the forest areas and central Sugapa Town to seek protection.
The Central Headquarters Management of the National Command of the West Papua National Liberation Army (KOMNAS TPNPB) confirmed the intensive movement of Indonesian military ground forces in the area. Air strikes using helicopters and unmanned aircraft or drones were launched from central Sugapa Town to various points in Intan Jaya, causing a succession of gunfire sounds heard until today.
The escalation of this armed conflict forced residents from Mbamogo, Soali, and Danggoa Villages to leave their homes since May 17, 2026. The exodus began after an air strike hit the Saint Paul Nabuni Mbamogo Catholic Church complex and injured four civilians who had just finished performing Sunday worship.
Residents who previously held out have now chosen to follow into the forest due to the increased intensity of military operations calculated since last night. The total number of wounded or fatalities as a whole has not been independently verified due to the tight security of the area which is under the full control of the Indonesian military.
"The Central Headquarters Management of KOMNAS TPNPB urges President Prabowo Subianto to immediately withdraw all Indonesian military personnel who are occupying civilian settlements," said TPNPB Spokesperson, Sebby Sambom, Saturday (27/6/2026).
The function shift of residential houses, school buildings, and houses of worship into military command posts is said must be stopped immediately in order to restore the function of civilian public facilities. TPNPB also requested the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Agus Subyanto to stop the deployment of heavy weapons in operations in the Land of Papua.
The use of heavy military logistics is deemed to have a direct impact on civilian casualties and damage to public infrastructure and houses of worship. Meanwhile, TPNPB encourages the United Nations (UN) to immediately deploy a special investigation team to monitor the development of the human rights situation in the conflict area.
Sebby also requested the UN Security Council and the UN Human Rights Council to provide an official mandate for humanitarian intervention to mediate the fighting between the West Papua National Liberation Army and the Indonesian military. (One Papua)