Parliament: TNI Commander's Instruction for Troops in Lebanon to Enter Bunkers is a Measured Step
The House of Representatives (DPR) views the TNI Commander’s step in ordering Indonesian soldiers in Lebanon to take shelter in bunkers as a quick and measured response amid the increasingly deteriorating security situation.
Deputy Chairman of Commission I of the DPR RI, Dave Laksono, stated that the instruction reflects the TNI leadership’s seriousness in ensuring personnel safety without neglecting the peacekeeping mission mandate.
“This step shows that personnel safety is placed as the top priority, while ensuring the peacekeeping mandate is carried out with full responsibility and discipline,” Dave said to reporters on Sunday (5/4).
He added that conditions in Lebanon indeed carry a high level of risk, so every policy on the ground must be oriented towards protecting the soldiers.
“The instruction is part of a comprehensive evaluation that is continuously carried out so that our troops can still carry out their duties safely and effectively,” he said.
Regarding the possibility of troop withdrawal, the Golkar Party politician emphasised that such a decision cannot be taken hastily.
“Troop withdrawal is certainly not a decision taken hastily, but must go through strategic considerations between the TNI, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the United Nations,” he stated.
Dave also stressed that Indonesia remains committed to maintaining global security stability. According to him, the involvement of TNI soldiers in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mission is a concrete manifestation of Indonesia’s contribution to defence diplomacy.
“Indonesia has a strong commitment to maintaining world peace, and the presence of TNI soldiers in UNIFIL is a concrete manifestation of that commitment,” he revealed.
Previously, TNI Commander Agus Subiyanto ordered all soldiers serving in Lebanon to remain inside the bunker to anticipate attacks on the UN peacekeeping force headquarters.
In a video call session with the Commander of the Yonmek XXIII-S/UNIFIL Task Force, Agus asked the soldiers to halt all activities outside the headquarters.
“Maintain the morale of the soldiers there, continue to carry out internal security, enter the bunkers, and there are no activities going out,” he said.
The directive was given amid the increasing escalation of conflict in southern Lebanon, which has claimed the lives of TNI soldiers. Three soldiers were reported to have fallen in separate incidents while carrying out peacekeeping duties.
This situation underscores the heavy challenges faced by Indonesian forces in maintaining peace in conflict areas, while strengthening the urgency of maximum protection measures for personnel in the field.