YKKMP: Dozens of Uniformed Men Attack Ainot Village, Three People Become Victims

Three civilians became victims of an armed attack that occurred in Ainot Village, Aifat District, Maybrat Regency, Southwest Papua.

The Yayasan Keadilan dan Keutuhan Manusia Papua (YKKMP) is urging the government and security forces to investigate the perpetrators of the attack. YKKMP chairman Theo Hesegem stressed that armed acts of brutality targeting ordinary people in Papua have become increasingly frequent.

Theo said the attack on civilians was deeply ironic, as it occurred just ahead of Indonesia’s Independence Day. He said the state has often neglected the safety of Papuan people amid various human rights violations.

“If the safety of ordinary citizens cannot yet be guaranteed, then what does independence mean for the Papuan people?” Theo said in a press release received by Republika in Jakarta on Saturday (15/8/2026).

Theo said that according to reports received by community organisations in Papua, the attack on ordinary residents in Maybrat took place on Thursday evening (13/8/2026).

He explained that at the time, darkness had already fallen over Ainot Village, prompting residents to finish their gardening work and sago processing. The workers returned to their respective homes as they had done on previous days.