Three Indonesian Soldiers Killed in Lebanon, UN and Indonesia Strongly Condemn
Three Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) soldiers died while carrying out a peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL). On Monday (30/03), two TNI soldiers were killed after an explosion struck a UNIFIL logistics convoy, as announced by the UN.
Previously, one TNI soldier died on Sunday (29/03) when an artillery attack hit the Indonesian contingent’s location in the town of Adshit al-Qusyar in southern Lebanon.
The Indonesian Ministry of Defence (Kemhan), as reported by several media outlets, has confirmed that two TNI soldiers died in the latest incident on Monday in southern Lebanon.
Head of the Defence Information Bureau of Kemhan, Brigadier General TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait, stated that “two TNI soldiers were reported to have fallen.”
There were also TNI soldiers who were injured, he said.
Earlier, the United Nations (UN) announced that two Indonesian peacekeepers were killed on Monday (30/03) and two others were injured.
“As a result of an explosion that struck the UNIFIL logistics convoy and destroyed their vehicle,” the UN stated.
The incident, the UN continued, occurred near Bani Hayyan in southern Lebanon.
This attack happened a day after another Indonesian peacekeeper was killed when a projectile struck the mission headquarters in Ett Taibe on Sunday (29/03), as stated by the UN on its official website.
Head of UN Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, expressed “his deepest condolences to the Government of Indonesia and the families of the three UNIFIL peacekeepers who were killed in the last two days.”
The UN stated that it strongly condemns the deadly attacks in two consecutive days against peacekeeping forces serving in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
“Peacekeepers must not be targeted,” Lacroix told journalists at a press conference at UN Headquarters in New York.
Lacroix said that UNIFIL is conducting an investigation into the two deadly attacks.
He emphasised that attacks on UN peacekeepers are unacceptable and may constitute war crimes.
Following the deadly shooting incident on Sunday, UNIFIL Spokesperson Kandice Ardiel said that they are conducting an investigation.
“For now, we do not have a clear picture of what actually happened, but that is what will be revealed in the investigation,” she said.
“Once the investigation is complete, as is the usual practice, we will share it with the relevant parties. And depending on the results, if we find the responsible party, we will inform them and officially lodge a protest,” Ardiel explained.
More than 8,000 peacekeepers from nearly 50 countries serve in UNIFIL.
This mission was established in 1978 by the UN Security Council to ensure Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon, restore international peace and security.
Their presence is also to help Lebanon in re-establishing the authority of the government in the area.
Who are the TNI soldiers who died in the Sunday attack?
Previously, one TNI soldier named Farizal Rhomadhon, with the rank of Chief Private, died while carrying out a peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon.
Three other TNI soldiers were injured and are now receiving intensive medical treatment in hospital.
“The fallen soldier is currently laid to rest at the East Sector Headquarters and is in the process of administrative arrangements for repatriation to Indonesia with assistance from the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut,” said Head of the TNI Information Centre (Kapuspen) at TNI Headquarters, Major General TNI Aulia Dwi Nasrullah, as reported by the Antara news agency on Monday (30/03).
Aulia explained that Private First Class Farizal was personnel attached to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Company C UNP 7-1 Task Force Yonmek XXIII-S/UNIFIL.
According to Aulia, Private First Class Farizal fell due to an artillery attack that struck the Indonesian contingent’s location in the town of Adshit al-Qusyar in southern Lebanon on Sunday (29/03).
The three soldiers who were injured are Private First Class Rico Pramudia, Private First Class Bayu Prakoso, and Private First Class Arif Kurniawan.
“Private First Class Rico Pramudia suffered severe injuries, while Private First Class Bayu Prakoso and Private First Class Arif Kurniawan suffered minor injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment,” Aulia said.
Aulia continued that the two soldiers with minor injuries have received treatment at UNIFIL Level I Hospital.
“Meanwhile, one soldier with severe injuries has been evacuated by helicopter to St. George Hospital in Beirut for further medical treatment,” Aulia said.
The Indonesian government strongly condemns
The Indonesian government strongly condemns the attack incident in Lebanon that killed one TNI soldier who was a member of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
“Indonesia strongly condemns the incident and calls for a thorough and transparent investigation,” the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated via its X account @Kemlu_RI on Monday (30/03).
“The incident occurred amid reports of exchanges of fire between the Israeli military and armed groups in southern Lebanon,” the Ministry stated.
The Indonesian government also urged a thorough investigation into the attack incident through diplomatic negotiations to reduce the intensity of tensions and conflicts in order to prevent further violence.
“Requesting a full investigation from UNIFIL to identify the source of this incident and once again calling on all parties to de-escalate,” said Foreign Minister Sugiono, while accompanying President Prabowo Subianto’s working visit to Tokyo, Japan, on Monday (30/3).
Separately, Golkar Party politician and DPR member Dave Laksono called on the Indonesian government to reconsider the presence of TNI soldiers in Lebanon.
If necessary, he continued, the immediate withdrawal of TNI troops from the country should be carried out.
“It would be good for the government to carry out, what is it, a withdrawal or also an evaluation of our soldiers’ presence in Lebanon,” he told reporters in Jakarta.