Captain Zulmi Aditya Iskandar and Sergeant Nur Ichwan, Two UNIFIL Soldiers Killed in Lebanon
The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) has confirmed that two soldiers serving in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeping mission were killed in an explosion incident in southern Lebanon on Monday (30/3). This fatal event occurred amid a sharp escalation in conflict in the area over the past 24 hours. TNI Chief of Information, Major General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah, confirmed that the fallen soldiers were Captain Inf Zulmi Aditya Iskandar and Sergeant Muhammad Nur Ichwan. In addition to the fatalities, two other soldiers, Lieutenant Inf Sulthan Wirdean Maulana and Private Deni Rianto, sustained injuries.
“TNI extends its deepest condolences over the loss of two soldiers and the injuries to two others in the UNIFIL operational area incident. The injured personnel have been evacuated and are receiving medical treatment at St. George Hospital in Beirut, Lebanon,” Aulia stated in an official release on Tuesday (31/3).
Aulia explained that, according to reports from the operational area, the fatal incident occurred while the Escort Team of B Company, Task Force Yonmek XXIII-S/UNIFIL, part of the Sector East Mobile Reserve (SEMR), was carrying out an escort duty.
At the time, the team was escorting a convoy of the Combat Support Service Unit (CSSU) from the Sector East UNIFIL Headquarters (United Nations Post/UNP 7-2) to the TNI Yonmek Task Force Headquarters Konga XXIII-S/UNIFIL at UNP 7-1. Midway through the journey, an explosion struck the tactical vehicle carrying the soldiers.
TNI emphasised that all personnel in the field had carried out their duties in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) established by UNIFIL, while maintaining a high level of vigilance.
Currently, UNIFIL is conducting a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion.
“To ascertain the cause of the incident, UNIFIL is currently carrying out an investigation. TNI is also continuously monitoring the situation’s developments and preparing contingency measures in response to the dynamics in the Lebanon mission area,” Aulia said.
The latest incident occurred on Monday (30/3), when an explosion hit a UNIFIL logistics convoy near Bani Hayyan, resulting in the deaths of two Indonesian personnel.
This incident has drawn sharp attention from various parties, including international relations expert from Padjadjaran University, Teuku Rezasyah.
Indonesia has called for an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting and urged a swift, comprehensive, and transparent investigation regarding the deaths of its UNIFIL members.
Indonesia and Lebanon have strongly condemned the attack on the UNIFIL peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon that resulted in the deaths of the personnel.
The Deputy Chair of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) RI, Lestari Moerdijat, expressed deep condolences over the deaths of the Indonesian soldiers in the UNIFIL mission in southern Lebanon.
Attacks on peacekeeping forces violate international law.