Why the Government Continues to Send Peacekeeping Troops to Lebanon After the TNI Soldier's Death?

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The government will send 742 Indonesian National Army (TNI) personnel, united in the Garuda Contingent Task Force (Satgas Konga), for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mission in May 2026. Although some time ago, TNI soldiers on the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon were killed in an attack. Foreign Minister Sugiono advised the soldiers to prepare themselves and carry out their duties well, with full enthusiasm and sincerity, as they carry Indonesia’s name in the eyes of the world. “The place where you are assigned is a place that is not peaceful at all and full of risks. This means that abilities and skills as soldiers must be prepared and used as best as possible,” said Sugiono at the Peacekeeping Mission Coordination Meeting on Monday (11/5/2026), quoted from a press release. The Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs stated that sending peacekeeping troops to Lebanon is a decision based on thorough strategic considerations. First, the government conducts risk assessments based on field conditions. The government periodically receives reports from the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Beirut and the TNI Peacekeeping Mission Centre (PMPP) regarding the vulnerability level of the area and risk mitigation capabilities in the field. Second, reorganisation and repositioning of troop strength is carried out, considering the effectiveness of personnel protection. Such steps may include evacuation or relocation of task force positions in line with evolving security situations. “Third, commitment to UN accountability and investigation,” he explained. Fourth, the government prepares contingency plans if the UNIFIL mandate is deemed no longer able to provide protection for peacekeeping personnel. In such conditions, early troop withdrawal becomes one of the options considered. Cabinet Secretary (Seskab) Teddy Indra Wijaya emphasised that the government indeed has no plans to withdraw TNI forces from UNIFIL following the incident of the death of three TNI soldiers in Lebanon.