TNI to mount hunt for top GAM leaders as offensive extended<\/p>\n
2Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh, Nanggroe
\nAceh Darussalam<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Military (TNI) plans to intensify its manhunt for
\nfive leaders of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) during the second
\nsix-month period of martial law in the province.<\/p>\n
Aceh martial law administrator Maj. Gen. Endang Suwarya said
\non Wednesday the military would focus its operation on tracing
\nthe movement of the most-wanted rebels, as well as cutting off
\nthe group's supply of arms and logistics.<\/p>\n
"We have not succeeded in capturing the rebel figures. Our
\nchallenge is to intensify our operation," Endang said.<\/p>\n
He was referring to GAM chief commander Muzakir Manaf, Darwis
\nJeunib, the GAM commander overseeing Jeunib, GAM spokesman Sofyan
\nDawod, Ishak Daud, the GAM commander overseeing Peurelak, and
\nTengku Abraham Muda.<\/p>\n
Endang also said the military had located the routes where the
\nrebels were bringing in arms along the province's eastern coast.<\/p>\n
During the first six months of martial law in Aceh, which
\nended on Wednesday, the military captured 37 of about 140 top GAM
\nfigures.<\/p>\n
Also during that period, 1,106 suspected GAM members were
\nkilled and 488 weapons seized. Another 1,544 suspected rebels
\nwere captured while 504 separatists surrendered.<\/p>\n
Endang said after six months the strength of GAM had been
\nreduced to 45 percent, but a more intensive military operation
\nwas needed as the guerrillas remained in control of about 70
\npercent of their arms.<\/p>\n
"Due to the GAM's possession of arms, we need an extension of
\nmartial law," Endang said.<\/p>\n
President Megawati Soekarnoputri signed a decree extending
\nmartial law in Aceh for another six months on Tuesday, on the
\ngrounds that the first six months of the military operation "has
\nnot yet achieved the maximum results, as seen by the existence of
\nremaining members of GAM".<\/p>\n
The military lost 76 soldiers and the police 13 personnel
\nduring the offensive to crush the rebels. The conflict has also
\nclaimed the lives of 395 civilians, including two foreigners.<\/p>\n
Another 157 civilians are reportedly being held hostages by
\nGAM, including RCTI journalists Ersa Siregar and Ferry Santoro.<\/p>\n
Endang said only 273 of about 6,000 villages in the province
\nwere under the total control of the military. No fewer than 1,000
\nmilitary officers have been assigned to the villages to help
\nlocal administrations fight insurgency.<\/p>\n
The second six months of the military operation will be led by
\nBrig. Gen. George Toisutta, formerly the Jakarta Military chief
\nof staff. He will replace Maj. Gen. Bambang Darmono.<\/p>\n
TNI chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto will officiate the transfer
\nof duty in Banda Aceh on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Bambang is being reassigned to the TNI Headquarters as chief
\nof staff in charge of people's welfare.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tni-to-mount-hunt-for-top-gam-leaders-as-offensive-extended-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}