Government Prepares Contingency Plan for Returning TNI Troops to Lebanon

The government is preparing a contingency plan related to the redeployment of Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) personnel forming the Garuda Contingent Task Force (Satgas Konga) to carry out the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mission in Lebanon.

This contingency serves as one of four reasons for the Indonesian government’s decision to resend peacekeeping troops to Lebanon despite the increasing escalation in the Middle East.

“(The four) contingency preparedness plans. If the UNIFIL mandate can no longer provide protection for peacekeeping personnel, then early troop withdrawal is one of the options under consideration,” said Brigadier General TNI Honi Havana, Head of Public Relations for the Deputy Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Datin Kemenko Polkam), when contacted on Tuesday (12/5/2026).

According to him, the government views the safety of the soldiers as the highest priority and non-negotiable.

Secondly, reorganisation and repositioning of troop forces will be carried out, taking into account the effectiveness of personnel protection.

Such steps may involve evacuation or relocation of task force positions in line with evolving security conditions.

“Third, commitment to UN accountability and investigation,” he stated.

This includes transparency regarding previous incidents, guarantees of accountability from relevant parties, and mechanisms for protection and international law enforcement for peacekeeping forces.

It was previously reported that hundreds of TNI personnel forming the Garuda Contingent Task Force (Satgas Konga) for the UNIFIL mission will be deployed to Lebanon in May 2026.

Foreign Minister Sugiono advised the soldiers to prepare themselves and carry out their duties well, with full enthusiasm and sincerity, as they represent Indonesia on the world stage.

“The place where you are assigned is not peaceful at all and full of risks. This means that your abilities and skills as soldiers must be prepared and utilised to the best of your ability,” said Sugiono, in a press release shared by Kemenko Polkam, quoted on Tuesday (12/5/2026).