Cabinet Secretary Teddy States Indonesia Will Not Withdraw TNI Troops from UNIFIL

Cabinet Secretary (Seskab) Teddy Indra Wijaya has assured that Indonesia will not withdraw TNI troops from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). However, Indonesia will still conduct an evaluation following the deaths of three TNI troops.

“Oh, there will be no action in that direction (withdrawing troops). The evaluation will continue, both internal and external. And I believe the TNI Commander and the Foreign Minister are very firm regarding all our troops abroad and at home,” said Teddy at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Friday, 10 April 2026.

On the other hand, Teddy emphasised that Indonesia wants to eradicate colonialism in the world. This is also enshrined in the 1945 Constitution.

“I think that has been stated very firmly, in accordance with the fourth paragraph of the opening of the UUD. So we send troops there to maintain peace and we are firm on the existing evaluation,” he said.

For information, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) stated that any changes related to the participation of TNI personnel in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) must be carried out with very careful consideration, so they cannot be withdrawn just like that.

Spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yvonne Mewengkang, said that Indonesia’s participation in UNIFIL is part of Indonesia’s solid international commitment to world security and peace.

“Therefore, various decisions related to this issue, including regarding the withdrawal proposal, need to go through very careful consideration, both in terms of personnel safety, the relevance of the UNIFIL mandate, and Indonesia’s contribution to regional stability,” said Yvonne during a media briefing in Jakarta on Wednesday.

She explained that in its mission, UNIFIL has a direct mandate from the UN Security Council, while its implementation is carried out under the coordination of the UN secretariat.

As a troop-contributing country to UNIFIL, Indonesia and other contributing countries always maintain close coordination with the UN, including to obtain the latest information on the security and safety of troops in the field.

Therefore, various matters or changes related to personnel participation in UNIFIL will be carried out with very careful consideration and attention to the situation on the ground, she said.