Fresh batch of troops arrive in Aceh amid growing tension
The Jakarta Post, Lhokseumawe, Aceh
The Indonesian Military (TNI) undertook a troop rotation in Aceh on Tuesday, with a fresh batch of soldiers landing at the Krueng Geukeuh Seaport in Lhokseumawe.
Iskandar Muda Military Commander Maj. Gen. Djali Yusuf warned the new troops of the worsening security situation in the conflict-ridden province of Aceh.
The 1,427 TNI personnel, including intelligence officers, will soon be taking up their new posts in several areas of Aceh, including the strife-torn North Aceh and East Aceh regencies, the military spokesman in Aceh, Maj. Zaenal Muttaqin, said.
The troops are replacing 1,425 soldiers who have completed one-year tours in the province. These departing soldiers are scheduled to leave Aceh this Friday, aboard the KRI Teluk Manado naval ship.
Following a ceremony to welcome the new soldiers, Djali told journalists the province of Aceh was like a "hidden shadow of (rebel) activities that is terrifying its own people".
He added that he would continue to use the might of his soldiers to paralyze the activities of armed separatist rebels from the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), but that this would not be possible without the help of the Acehnese people.
"Does the public want to continue living as objects of extortion to be used by GAM? I have repeatedly asked the people of East Aceh, West Aceh and other parts of Aceh to become one, and to fight against the acts of terror that have them so frightened," Djali said.
He added that he was not worried about the imposition of a state of civil emergency, adding his men were ready to fight provocateurs and rebels in any security condition.
Meanwhile, gunfire has continued across the rebellious province of Aceh, with at least eight deaths recorded over the last three days, the local police, military and aid workers said.
Muttaqin said on Tuesday that soldiers shot dead three rebels and seized two AK-47 firearms and a home-made bomb in two separate clashes on Monday in North Aceh regency.
Two of the victims, Zakaria Harun, 26, and Dahlan, 29, who were identified as Free Aceh Movement (GAM) members, were killed in an exchange of gunfire at Meunasah Dayah village in Kuta Makmur subdistrict.
A second clash took place in Gampong Gunting village in the subdistrict of Jambo Aye, in which TNI troops shot dead another alleged GAM member, Syaiful Hasyim, 25.
Meanwhile, five bodies with gunshot wounds were found on Sunday and Monday in separate locations, police and Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) volunteers said.
Red Cross worker Muslim Tanjung told The Jakarta Post that the body of Mursal, an 18-year-old male, was found on Monday behind the Syiah Kuala University's School of Engineering building in Banda Aceh, the provincial capital.
Earlier on Sunday, the Red Cross discovered another victim of a shooting on the roadside of the Seunapet area, Aceh Besar regency, Muslim added.