Three TNI Soldiers Fall in Lebanon, Vice President Expresses Deep Condolences

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has expressed deep condolences over the deaths of three TNI soldiers serving with the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), suspected to be due to an attack by Zionist Israeli military forces.

“I extend my deepest condolences over the passing of Captain Inf. Zulmi Aditya Iskandar, Staff Sergeant Muhammad Nur Ichwan, and Private Farizal Rhomadhon during the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission in Lebanon,” said Vice President Gibran in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Gibran continued by offering the highest respects to the three soldiers who fell while dedicating themselves to maintaining world peace.

“I fully support a thorough investigation by the United Nations (UN) and careful handling in accordance with President Prabowo’s directives, including maximum efforts for the repatriation of the remains,” Gibran added.

Private Farizal Rhomadhon fell while carrying out a peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, and his remains are currently in the process of being repatriated to Indonesia. Private Farizal was part of the Indonesian contingent in Company C of UNP 7-1, Task Force Yonmek XXIII-S/UNIFIL.

The late Private Farizal was killed by artillery fire that struck the Indonesian contingent’s location in the city of Adshit al-Qusyar in southern Lebanon on Sunday (29/3).

Meanwhile, Captain (Inf) Zulmi Aditya Iskandar and Staff Sergeant Muhammad Nur Ichwan fell while conducting an escort mission for vehicles in southern Lebanon. Both were members of the Escort Team of Company B, Task Force Yonmek XXIII-S/UNIFIL, which is part of the Southeast Mobile Reserve (SEMR), tasked with escorting UNIFIL vehicle convoys in southern Lebanon on Monday (30/3).

The two TNI soldiers were escorting vehicles from the Eastern Sector UNIFIL Headquarters United Nations Post (UNP) 7-2 to the Task Force Yonmek TNI Konga XXIII-S/UNIFIL Headquarters at UNP 7-1.

To date, the Indonesian government and TNI are awaiting the results of the official investigation conducted by UNIFIL and the UN.

Regardless, TNI Chief General Agus Subiyanto stated that the TNI is granting posthumous extraordinary promotions for non-war military operations, along with compensation for the families of the three soldiers who fell during the peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.

“The three fallen soldiers will receive posthumous extraordinary promotions for non-war military operations, as well as the Dag Hammarskjold Medal,” said TNI Chief General Agus Subiyanto, as quoted from the official TNI broadcast in Jakarta on Wednesday.

In addition to from the state, Agus continued, the three soldiers are also receiving compensation from the UN for each of their families.

The amount of compensation includes education scholarships for the children of the fallen soldiers and various other soldier entitlements, he added.

The Chief explained that the family of Captain Infantry Zulmi Aditya Iskandar will receive compensation worth Rp1,894,688,236, Staff Sergeant Muhammad Nur Ichwan Rp1,846,309,049, and Private Farizal Rhomadhon Rp1,854,075,205.

“The families will also receive continued salaries for 12 months, consisting of basic salary, ULP, and position allowances, as well as widow’s pension after the continued salary payments are completed,” said the Chief.

Agus expressed his hope that the compensation provided can alleviate the economic burden on the families of the three soldiers.