One TNI Soldier Killed in Lebanon, DPR Considers Option to Withdraw Troops from the Middle East
Jakarta, VIVA – Deputy Chairman of DPR Commission I Dave Laksono expressed condolences over the death of a TNI soldier who was part of the UNIFIL peacekeeping force in Lebanon and the injuries sustained by three other personnel due to an Israeli artillery attack on Sunday, 29 March 2026.
He stated that his side is continuing to await an official explanation from TNI Headquarters regarding the casualties or any damage affecting the TNI soldiers or the base where they are located.
“The UN has already expressed condolences and condemned the attack. Now, this must be assessed to determine if follow-up action is needed from us to convey our stance in order to protect the safety of our soldiers,” Dave said at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Monday, 30 March 2026.
According to him, the incident should serve as a moment for evaluation regarding the purpose of TNI soldiers’ presence in the area. The mutual attacks in the region should not result in the death of TNI soldiers who are there to promote peace.
“Previously, they had been hit by missiles as well, but there were no serious casualties. Now, there has been a fatal casualty,” he said.
On the other hand, Dave stated that the government must evaluate the presence of TNI troops in the Middle East. He opened the option for TNI troops to be withdrawn back to Indonesia if the conditions are indeed not deemed safe.
“And this also presents an opportunity to make corrections or to assess whether our soldiers’ presence is truly functioning, because clearly with the ongoing attacks that do not stop and continue, even to the point of killing our soldiers, is our presence useful for maintaining peace or does it instead become a target of attacks,” Dave said.
“Well, if the conditions are indeed not safe, it would be advisable for the government to carry out a withdrawal or an evaluation of our soldiers’ presence in Lebanon,” he added.
Previously, the Ministry of Defence confirmed that one TNI personnel member of the UNIFIL peacekeeping force in Lebanon was killed and three others injured due to an Israeli artillery attack on Sunday, 29 March 2026.
“There are casualties from TNI soldiers, namely one person deceased, one in serious condition with injuries, and two with minor injuries who are currently receiving medical treatment,” said the Head of the Defence Information Bureau (Karo Infohan) of the Secretariat General of the Ministry of Defence, Brigadier General TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait, when contacted.