RI deploys F-16s in Aceh war<\/p>\n
Berni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Lhokseumawe, Aceh<\/p>\n
Indonesia's most sophisticated jet fighters dropped bombs and
\nfired rockets at rebel positions on Monday, in their first
\nairstrike during the first month of war against Free Aceh
\nMovement (GAM) units.<\/p>\n
Monday's airstrike was the first time that the American F-16
\nFighting Falcon was used in combat since Indonesia purchased the
\njets in 1996.<\/p>\n
First strike force detachment commander Capt. Mohamad Fajar
\nsaid they hoped the airstrike could remove rebels from their
\nhideout near Babus Salam village in North Aceh regency, where the
\nmilitary believed the GAM commander and its spokesman Sofyan
\nDawood were hiding.<\/p>\n
Two Fighting Falcons from Medan in North Sumatra dropped four
\nbombs in the area, a swampy stretch of land separated by a palm
\noil plantation from Babus Salam.<\/p>\n
Another two OV-10 Bronco planes, also from Medan, fired 16
\nrockets and 500 rounds from large caliber cannons at positions
\nbelieved to be occupied by rebel units, said Fajar at the
\nmilitary observation post about three kilometers away from the
\ntarget area.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Military personnel have complained in the past that
\nit was increasingly difficult to operate the American-made
\nwarplanes due to a shortage of spare parts as the U.S. has not
\nyet lifted its arms embargo imposed on Indonesia following the
\nEast Timor violence in 1999.<\/p>\n
Several locals from Babus Salam, a village populated by mostly
\nJavanese transmigrants, watched and cheered as the fighters
\nstruck the rebels bases.<\/p>\n
However, only three targets out of 11 ordered were hit during
\nthe 30-minute airstrike. More attacks in the area were being
\nplanned, Fajar said.<\/p>\n
The TNI began the assault on GAM positions on May 19 with an
\nairstrike using British-made Hawk jet planes. Britain expressed
\nobjection to the use of its product in the military operation to
\nquell rebellion in Aceh, citing a pre-purchase deal between the
\ntwo countries not to use them against other Indonesians.<\/p>\n
Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Chappy Hakim had earlier
\nplayed down the use of F-16s in the operation in Aceh, saying the
\ngovernment troops were facing a guerrilla war, not a conventional
\nwar.<\/p>\n
Fajar said that between 100 and 150 rebels were hiding along a
\nfive-kilometer stretch within the target area which he said had
\nbeen a rebel stronghold for about three years.<\/p>\n
Around 700 soldiers have surrounded the area, Fajar said. But
\nhe said entering it was difficult and the rebels had often
\nslipped through the military cordon.<\/p>\n
\"The Indonesian Military (TNI) has never really been able to
\ncontrol the area, so far we have only sent patrols inside,\" Fajar
\nsaid, adding that the area was also heavily booby trapped.<\/p>\n
\"With this air strike we hope to give them some shock
\ntherapy,\" he said. \"We hope the attack will force the rebels to
\ncome out of their hiding place, as this will make it easier for
\nus to attack them.\"<\/p>\n
He said that a number of teams moved into the target area
\nshortly after the air strike to tighten the encirclement around
\nthe rebels.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere in North Aceh, the government troops continued to
\nattack an alleged GAM stronghold in Jambo Aye district, located
\nsome 90 kilometers east of Lhokseumawe.<\/p>\n
He said the military had set up special units to attack
\nseveral locations where dozens of GAM members were allegedly
\nhiding.<\/p>\n
The targets include Alue Kerakke village in Jambo Aye. Iwan
\nclaimed that the military had conquered the villages of Paya
\nCokai, Matang Maneh, Pucuk Alue and Lhok Beuringen, all formerly
\nknown as rebel strongholds.<\/p>\n
\"Lhok Beringuen was formerly the biggest GAM stronghold in
\nAceh. GAM officials have left the houses they used to live in.
\nThe troops have occupied the houses and the village,\" Iwan said.<\/p>\n
He claimed that the villagers asked the troops to stay in the
\nvillage as they were in fear of living under GAM oppression.<\/p>\n
\"People have told us about the presence of GAM,\" Iwan
\nremarked.<\/p>\n
A day before, the troops were involved in a shootout with a
\ngroup of GAM members and managed to seize a number of firearms
\nand ammunition.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-deploys-f-16s-in-aceh-war-1447893297",
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