PD Urges Government to Consider SBY's Proposal on TNI Troops in UNIFIL

Deputy Chairman of Commission I of the House of Representatives from the Democrat Faction, Anton Sukartono Suratto, stated that the proposal by the sixth President of the Republic of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), which calls on the UN to halt the UNIFIL deployment in Lebanon to prioritise the safety of soldiers. Anton said that a comprehensive evaluation of the mission’s sustainability, including the option of withdrawing troops, constitutes a form of national responsibility.

“Indonesian troops are present not to wage war, but to maintain stability and support the peace process in conflict areas. Peacekeeping forces should be deployed in post-conflict areas, not during ongoing conflicts,” Anton told reporters on Monday (6/4/2026).

Anton noted that SBY’s proposal was made amid escalating conflict in southern Lebanon, where UNIFIL troops are stationed. He urged the UN to immediately conduct a thorough evaluation of the deployment, especially after three TNI soldiers were killed.

“Therefore, in this context, I agree with the view of the sixth President of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, that with the increasingly unconducive situation in the UNIFIL deployment area, this needs to be seriously evaluated,” he said.

“Firm action as a form of prioritising soldier safety needs to be taken immediately, such as relocating the deployment site to a safer area or temporarily halting the mission to ensure the safety of our soldiers,” he continued.

Anton further explained that under international humanitarian law principles, peacekeeping forces have a status that must be protected and should not become targets or directly affected by military operations. He called on the Indonesian government to also evaluate the involvement of TNI soldiers in the peacekeeping force and consider the option of withdrawing troops.

“Therefore, a comprehensive evaluation of the mission’s sustainability, relocation of sites, including the option of withdrawing troops, constitutes the state’s responsibility in protecting its citizens serving abroad,” he concluded.

Previously, SBY addressed the deaths of three TNI soldiers due to an Israeli attack in Lebanon. SBY urged the UN to take firm steps to halt the UNIFIL deployment or the UN peacekeeping mission.

This was conveyed by SBY through a post on X, viewed on Sunday (5/4). Initially, SBY expressed Indonesia’s condolences over the deaths of three TNI soldiers serving as peacekeepers in Lebanon.

He stated that peacekeepers are deployed in the ‘blue line’ or ‘blue zone’, which is not a combat area or ‘war zone’. The Indonesian contingent is essentially stationed along the ‘Blue Line’ that separates Israeli territory from Lebanese territory.

SBY assessed this condition as highly dangerous for peacekeepers, as they could become victims of ongoing battles at any moment.

“With this argumentation, the UN in New York should immediately make a decision and take firm steps to halt the UNIFIL deployment or relocate their positions outside the currently active battlefield,” he explained.