Foreign Minister affirms TNI will not conduct military operations with ISF in Gaza
Jakarta (ANTARA) — Foreign Minister Sugiono has affirmed that Indonesian military (TNI) personnel deployed on a peacekeeping mission with the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Gaza, Palestine, will not conduct military operations.
The Foreign Minister said the ISF's operational mandate permits participating nations — in this case Indonesia, which also serves as ISF Deputy Commander — to set out limitations on troop deployment, known as a national caveat.
"We have already conveyed our national caveat to the ISF: that we will not conduct military operations. Furthermore, we will not carry out disarmament, nor what is termed demilitarisation," Sugiono said during a press briefing in Washington DC on Friday evening (20 February) local time.
He explained that Indonesian forces would not undertake disarmament or any other demilitarisation activities in Gaza.
The thousands of Indonesian troops being deployed in stages will carry out only humanitarian duties, protect civilians, and defend themselves if attacked.
"What we are doing is protecting civilians on both sides, participating in humanitarian efforts on the ground, and of course there are rules of engagement that we can invoke as a force if we come under attack, in the context of self-defence," Sugiono said.
He also noted that within the ISF structure, the United States serves as force commander, supported by three deputy commanders, one of whom is Indonesia, responsible for operations.
Sugiono described Indonesia's appointment as ISF Deputy Commander for Operations as an honour and a recognition of the reputation of Indonesian soldiers across various peacekeeping missions worldwide.
"Because Indonesian forces are also the largest contingent there, the deputy commander for operations role is an acknowledgement and tribute to Indonesia's track record, as well as the reputation of Indonesian soldiers across various peacekeeping theatres," Sugiono said.
At the inaugural Board of Peace meeting held at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace in Washington DC on Thursday morning (19 February) local time, President Prabowo Subianto reaffirmed Indonesia's readiness to send 8,000 TNI soldiers to serve with the ISF in Gaza, Palestine.
"The ceasefire in Gaza is a tangible achievement. We commend this accomplishment and therefore reaffirm our commitment to contributing a significant number of troops — 8,000, and potentially more if needed," President Prabowo said during the Board of Peace summit.
Meanwhile, ISF Commander Major General Jasper Jeffers of the US Armed Forces stated that projections indicate 20,000 soldiers and 12,000 police officers will eventually serve with the ISF to restore post-war conditions in Gaza.
Major General Jeffers said Rafah, located in southern Gaza and bordering Egypt, would be the ISF's first destination.
The Foreign Minister said the ISF's operational mandate permits participating nations — in this case Indonesia, which also serves as ISF Deputy Commander — to set out limitations on troop deployment, known as a national caveat.
"We have already conveyed our national caveat to the ISF: that we will not conduct military operations. Furthermore, we will not carry out disarmament, nor what is termed demilitarisation," Sugiono said during a press briefing in Washington DC on Friday evening (20 February) local time.
He explained that Indonesian forces would not undertake disarmament or any other demilitarisation activities in Gaza.
The thousands of Indonesian troops being deployed in stages will carry out only humanitarian duties, protect civilians, and defend themselves if attacked.
"What we are doing is protecting civilians on both sides, participating in humanitarian efforts on the ground, and of course there are rules of engagement that we can invoke as a force if we come under attack, in the context of self-defence," Sugiono said.
He also noted that within the ISF structure, the United States serves as force commander, supported by three deputy commanders, one of whom is Indonesia, responsible for operations.
Sugiono described Indonesia's appointment as ISF Deputy Commander for Operations as an honour and a recognition of the reputation of Indonesian soldiers across various peacekeeping missions worldwide.
"Because Indonesian forces are also the largest contingent there, the deputy commander for operations role is an acknowledgement and tribute to Indonesia's track record, as well as the reputation of Indonesian soldiers across various peacekeeping theatres," Sugiono said.
At the inaugural Board of Peace meeting held at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace in Washington DC on Thursday morning (19 February) local time, President Prabowo Subianto reaffirmed Indonesia's readiness to send 8,000 TNI soldiers to serve with the ISF in Gaza, Palestine.
"The ceasefire in Gaza is a tangible achievement. We commend this accomplishment and therefore reaffirm our commitment to contributing a significant number of troops — 8,000, and potentially more if needed," President Prabowo said during the Board of Peace summit.
Meanwhile, ISF Commander Major General Jasper Jeffers of the US Armed Forces stated that projections indicate 20,000 soldiers and 12,000 police officers will eventually serve with the ISF to restore post-war conditions in Gaza.
Major General Jeffers said Rafah, located in southern Gaza and bordering Egypt, would be the ISF's first destination.