Clashes in Aceh continue, claim 17 more lives<\/p>\n
BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): The run-up to Monday's Islamic holy day
\nof Idul Adha failed to abate the violence in Aceh as at least 17
\npeople died in various incidents including clashes between
\nsecurity and rebel forces which raged during the weekend.<\/p>\n
Three civilians were killed in the East Aceh town of Idi
\nRayeuk which Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels began to occupy at
\nabout 6 p.m. on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Rebels retreated from the town some 14-hours later after
\nsecurity forces with heavy support which included armored
\nvehicles and two helicopters, marched into the town.<\/p>\n
\"Rebels burnt eight houses in the police dormitory compound
\nand set fire to Idi Rayeuk state penitentiary. Luckily the jail
\nwas empty,\" deputy spokesman of Cinta Meunasah operation Adj. Sr.
\nComr. Yatim Suyatmo told The Jakarta Post by phone from Banda
\nAceh on Monday.<\/p>\n
While Monday itself was generally calm throughout Aceh,
\nvolleys of gunfire were heard to ring out through Saturday night
\nin Idi Rayeuk, some 80 kilometers east of regency capital Langsa.<\/p>\n
Yatim said security troops were now pursuing GAM rebels who
\nhad torched the police dormitory.<\/p>\n
GAM's spokesman for East Aceh, Ishak Daud, however said that
\nrebels were compelled to occupy the town as security forces
\nmaintained their \"sweeping operations in many villages which led
\nto arson and violence.\"<\/p>\n
\"We will continue launching attacks if the troops maintain
\ntheir action,\" Ishak said.<\/p>\n
He admitted that his forces were responsible for the arson at
\nthe police dormitory and the penitentiary.<\/p>\n
A sweeping operation by security forces of the town on
\nSaturday afternoon discovered three more bodies.<\/p>\n
Many residents of Idi Rayeuk had fled their homes during the
\noccupation and took refuge in several mosques in the town fearing
\ntheir homes would be torched.<\/p>\n
When they occupied the town rebels hoisted GAM flags along a
\nfour-kilometer route in Idi Rayeuk. These were immediately
\nstripped down when security forces marched in.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, four male bodies bearing head wounds were found on
\nSaturday in separate locations around Langsa. The hands of the
\ncorpses had been bound when they were found.<\/p>\n
\"Only one of the dead has been identified. His name was M.
\nDaud, 25, a local from Seurigit village in West Langsa,\" officer
\nYatim said.<\/p>\n
Another three bodies were found near the provincial capital of
\nBanda Aceh.<\/p>\n
One was a man with what was believed to be torture marks while
\nthe other two, found in a different location, were of a man and a
\nwoman with severe head injuries.<\/p>\n
In North Aceh, a suspected GAM rebel identified as Muhammad
\nUsuf Majid, 25, was shot dead on Saturday during a gunfight
\nbetween rebels and a joint police and military patrol in
\nKeureusek village, North Aceh Police Chief Sr. Adj. Comr. Wanto
\nSumardi said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in Bireun regency, three bodies were found with
\ntheir throats slit. Two of the bodies were of a father and child.
\nIn South Aceh security forces raided a homemade weapons factory
\nbelonging to the rebels, seizing five homemade guns and weapon-
\nmaking machinery, Teuku Umar Military commander Col. Syarifuddin
\nTippe told media on Saturday.<\/p>\n
There were no casualties reported in the raid, he added.<\/p>\n
The latest outbreak of violence comes after a second meeting
\non Thursday between field commanders from both sides in the
\ncapital, Banda Aceh.<\/p>\n
More than 200 people have been killed this year alone, on top
\nof some 1,000 last year. (edt\/50)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/clashes-in-aceh-continue-claim-17-more-lives-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}