Indonesia Mourns Three TNI UNIFIL Peacekeepers Who Fell in Lebanon
State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi conveyed the government’s profound sorrow over the deaths of three Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) personnel serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
“Regarding the news of the deaths of three TNI personnel during a peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, on behalf of the president, we convey our deepest condolences,” he said on Tuesday.
Hadi said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sugiono, had also issued a statement regretting the incident and had requested relevant authorities to conduct an investigation.
“We have also coordinated with the Minister of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the TNI Commander to make the best efforts to repatriate the bodies of the three fallen soldiers, while also briefing to all troops and soldiers still on duty in the field to increase vigilance,” he continued.
Previously, the government had also called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations (UN) Security Council and urged a swift, thorough, and transparent investigation into the death of its military personnel in Lebanon.
Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono, in an official social media post, stated that he had contacted UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday (March 30) regarding this case.
He noted that Indonesia condemns the heinous attack and emphasized that the safety and security of UN peacekeepers is non-negotiable and must be upheld at all times.
On Sunday (March 29), an Indonesian UNIFIL peacekeeper, Chief Private Farizal Rhomadhon, was killed by artillery fire near the Indonesian UNIFIL contingent’s position near Adchit Al Qusayr, South Lebanon.
On Tuesday, the Defense Ministry announced the death of two other personnel in South Lebanon while escorting UNIFIL troops on Monday (March 30).
Head of the TNI Headquarters Information Center, Major General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah, revealed the identities of the two soldiers are Captain (Inf) Zulmi Aditya Iskandar and First Sergeant Muhammad Nur Ichwan.
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Translator: Prisca Triferna, Resinta Sulistiyandari