Escalation of Lebanon Conflict: Two TNI Soldiers Fall, Ministry of Defence Urges Thorough Investigation
The escalation of conflict in southern Lebanon has once again claimed lives from the international peacekeeping force. The Ministry of Defence (Kemenhan) has confirmed that two Indonesian National Army (TNI) soldiers fell while carrying out the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeping mission on Monday (30/3).
The Head of the Defence Information Bureau of Kemenhan, Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait, explained that the tragic incident occurred amid rising intensity of battles in the operational area of the UN force. “Two TNI soldiers are reported to have fallen, while two others sustained severe injuries,” Rico stated in his official remarks on Tuesday (31/3).
The incident began when several personnel from the TNI Task Force were carrying out escort duties to support UNIFIL operational activities in southern Lebanon. To date, authorities have not released details on the exact cause of the attack or clash that killed the personnel.
Rico emphasised that the fact-finding process is currently underway internally by the international organisation. “To date, the exact cause of the incident is still under investigation by UNIFIL in accordance with applicable mechanisms,” he said.
Regarding the surviving victims, Kemenhan assured that the two soldiers with severe injuries have received intensive medical treatment at a healthcare facility in Beirut, Lebanon. All evacuation steps are claimed to have followed the United Nations’ standard operating procedures (SOP).
In response to the increasingly heated situation, the Indonesian Government urges all conflicting parties to exercise restraint and respect the presence of peacekeeping forces. The safety of international personnel must be a priority amid the turmoil of war. “Evacuation and medical treatment steps were carried out quickly in accordance with United Nations operational procedures,” he said.
Rico also stressed that this incident will not diminish Indonesia’s role in global defence diplomacy. “Indonesia remains committed to actively contributing to maintaining world peace and supporting regional stability through participation in UN peacekeeping missions,” he asserted.
This loss adds to the grief for the TNI corps. Previously, on Sunday (29/3), one soldier named Praka Farizal Rhomadhon was also declared fallen in a similar incident.
Three other comrades, namely Praka Rico Pramudia, Praka Bayu Prakoso, and Praka Arif Kurniawan, are reported to still be under treatment due to injuries. They are part of the Garuda XXIII-S Mechanised Battalion Task Force contingent tasked with maintaining stability along the Lebanon border.
The latest incident occurred on Monday (30/3), when an explosion struck a UNIFIL logistics convoy near Bani Hayyan. This event caused two Indonesian personnel to fall.
Despite the increasing risks in the field, the TNI remains steadfast in its international commitments.
Members of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) stated that the Israeli military attack causing the death of a TNI soldier in the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission in Lebanon must be taken seriously by the government.
The incident has triggered sharp scrutiny from various parties, including international relations observer from Padjadjaran University, Teuku Rezasyah.
Foreign Minister RI Sugiono revealed that the attack on the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Sunday (29/3) injured three RI personnel. One of them was seriously injured.
UNIFIL is investigating the artillery attack that killed one TNI soldier in southern Lebanon. The TNI is increasing vigilance amid the escalation of conflict.
The TNI confirmed the death of Praka Farizal Rhomadhon in the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon. Three other soldiers are injured, and the investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing.
The DPR RI urges a thorough investigation into the death of TNI soldiers in a missile attack on the headquarters of the UN peacekeeping force (UNIFIL) in Lebanon.