House of Representatives Urges International Accountability for Fallen Indonesian Soldiers in Lebanon
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), Puan Maharani, is urging the international community to take responsibility for Israel’s attack on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which led to the deaths of three Indonesian soldiers.
Puan, in a statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday, expressed support for the government’s steps in requesting relevant authorities to investigate the incident involving the fallen soldiers.
“A country has the right to demand accountability from the international community as a form of protection for every drop of Indonesian blood,” she said.
She also conveyed her condolences for the event. “On behalf of the DPR RI and personally, I extend my deepest condolences for the loss of three sons of the nation who were carrying out humanitarian duties in Lebanon,” she stated.
According to her, the sacrifice of TNI soldiers in Lebanon serves as a reminder that Indonesia’s position on the international stage is built not only through political statements but also through the courage to stand on the front lines when the world faces conflicts.
Therefore, Puan believes the best way to honour the fallen soldiers is to ensure that their dedication strengthens national and international awareness.
“An awareness that world peace is not an agenda distant from Indonesia’s interests, but part of a responsibility that always carries real consequences,” she said.
She further stated that Indonesia’s involvement in maintaining world peace has never been in a completely safe space, even though it is carried out under an international mandate.
According to her, Indonesia’s presence in global peacekeeping operations has often been understood by the public merely as a symbol of the country’s active diplomacy. However, the incident in Lebanon shows there are real risks that must be read as part of changes in the global conflict landscape.
“When Indonesian soldiers fall in a peacekeeping mission, it demonstrates that Indonesia’s commitment to international peace is always paid with heavy responsibilities,” Puan added.
The incident, she continued, also highlights the importance of maintaining a balance between Indonesia’s international commitments and maximum protection for deployed personnel.
She noted that the bravery of Indonesian forces in conflict zones must always be accompanied by the state’s readiness to ensure that every development of threats is mapped more adaptively.
Puan hopes the incident will further increase awareness among all parties of the importance of steps and efforts to create peace, especially for parties still in conflict and engaged in prolonged geopolitical disputes.
“The war must be stopped immediately. How many more victims have fallen for the power of certain parties? The United Nations must act boldly,” she said.
It is known that Praka Farizal Rhomadhon, a TNI soldier attached to UNIFIL, was killed by artillery fire near the Indonesian UNIFIL contingent’s position in the vicinity of Adchit Al Qusayr, southern Lebanon, on Sunday (29/3).
Meanwhile, three other personnel, namely Praka Rico Pramudia, Praka Bayu Prakoso, and Praka Arif Kurniawan, were injured in the attack.
A day later, the UN reported that two Indonesian UNIFIL peacekeepers were killed and two other soldiers injured in an attack on a UNIFIL logistics convoy near Bani Hayyan in southern Lebanon on Monday (30/3).
The Head of the TNI Headquarters Information Centre, Major General TNI Aulia Dwi Nasrullah, explained that the two soldiers who died were Captain (Inf) Zulmi Aditya Iskandar and Sergeant (Inf) Muhammad Nur Ichwan.
The two injured soldiers were Lieutenant (Inf) Sulthan Wirdean Maulana and Praka Deni Rianto.