SBY Urges UN to Halt UNIFIL Deployment After Three TNI Soldiers Fall in Lebanon
Former Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) has spoken out about the deaths of three TNI soldiers due to an Israeli attack in Lebanon. SBY has urged the UN to take firm action to halt the UNIFIL deployment or the UN peacekeeping mission.
This was conveyed by SBY via a post on X, viewed on Sunday (5/4/2026). Initially, SBY expressed Indonesia’s mourning over the loss of the three TNI soldiers serving as peacekeepers in Lebanon.
“When I joined in paying respects to the remains of Major Inf (Posthumous) Zulmi Aditya Iskandar, Sgt Maj (Posthumous) Muhammad Nur Ichwan, and Cpl (Posthumous) Farizal Rhomadon, my heart was deeply moved,” said SBY.
SBY stated that TNI soldiers truly sacrifice their lives and bodies when serving for the nation. SBY felt profound sorrow for the families left behind.
SBY also supported President Prabowo Subianto’s call for the UN to conduct a serious investigation. The UN, continued SBY, must also explain the series of incidents that have led to the deaths of Indonesian peacekeepers.
“I know that investigations in highly dynamic combat situations are often not easy. However, they can still be carried out in the hope that the results will be reasonable and acceptable (an acceptable, believable narrative),” said SBY.
“I once undertook a UN assignment in Bosnia (former Yugoslavia) from 1995-1996. As a Brigadier General, I served as the Head of UN Military Observers. We often conducted investigations into ceasefire violations,” he added.
SBY also discussed how peacekeepers are not heavily armed and are not mandated to engage in combat tasks. SBY noted that this is stipulated in Chapter 6 of the UN Charter.
He said peacekeepers operate along the ‘blue line’ or in the ‘blue zone’, which is not a combat or ‘war zone’ area. The Indonesian contingent essentially serves along the ‘Blue Line’ that separates Israeli territory from Lebanese territory.
“Now, in reality, what was once around the ‘Blue Line’ has now become a ‘war zone’, where battles between Israel and Hezbollah rage daily. It is even reported that Israeli forces have advanced 7 km from the ‘Blue Line’,” said SBY.
SBY assessed this situation as highly dangerous for peacekeepers, as they could become victims of the ongoing battles at any moment.
“With this reasoning, the UN in New York should immediately make a decisive decision and take firm steps to halt the UNIFIL deployment and/or relocate their positions away from the current active battlefield,” he explained.
SBY also encouraged the UN Security Council to convene urgently and issue a clear and firm resolution. SBY recalled that, while serving as Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, he attended a UN Security Council session in 2000 due to the Atambua incident that killed three UN humanitarian workers in a protest.
“The UN must not show favouritism or apply double standards. Just as President Prabowo has done, personally, I also feel a moral obligation to fight for justice for these TNI soldiers who became victims in Lebanon,” he said.
SBY explained that during his presidency, he initiated and proposed to the UN to send one battalion plus from Indonesia as part of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Lebanon.
The first Indonesian contingent, Garuda XXIII/A, departed for Lebanon in November 2006. Up to 2026, Indonesia has deployed 19 contingents to Lebanon, with an average tour of duty of one year.
“As an elder and senior in the TNI, I convey to the soldiers of Contingent Garuda XXIII/S still in Lebanon to remain spirited in carrying out their noble duties. Do your best and take good care of yourselves. Your loving families await your return to the homeland,” he said.