Hengky Yeimo, Jayapura, Jubi – The Yahukimo 16 Headquarters of the West Papua National Liberation Army's (TPNPB) has said that the Indonesian Military (TNI) and police personnel are not allowed to shoot Yahukimo civilians who did not know anything. The armed group challenges the TNI and police to fight against TPNPB troops in a certain war zone in Yahukimo Regency, Papua.
Leader of the Yahukimo Headquarters Brig. Gen. Elkius Kobak made an announcement in a circulated video received by Jubi on Tuesday, February 8, 2022. In the 12-minute video, Kobak said that his troops would defend their area of operation from Jekni to Unaukam, and from Yali to Anggruk.
"No one could intervene in my territory. We work according to the existing area," he said.
Kobak said that his troops were responsible for all attacks and violence against the security forces that occurred in Papua's Yahukimo from August 16, 2021 to February 6, 2022. Therefore, Kobak asked the TNI and police troops not to blame the civilians in Yahukimo.
"I and my troops did it. The TNI and police must not blame innocent civilians. So please, TNI and police, look for us at our headquarters. We are waiting for you," Kobak said.
The field commander of the Yahukimo TPNPB, Kopi Tua Hiluka, said that he was ready to carry out the duties and responsibilities of a soldier. He said that his troops would be solid in carrying out the orders of Brig. Gen. Elkius Kobak.
"As long as it is according to Elkius Kobak's orders, we carry that out. Wherever we meet the TNI and police, we will continuously fire at them. We will continue to carry out guerrilla actions until Papua is independent," said Hiluka.
Meanwhile, a subordinate to Hiluka, Benal Ketmen, said he would not back down from the guerrilla struggle to liberate the Land of Papua. "I'm ready for the operations. I will not back down. I am ready to fight to the end, carry out the leader's orders according to our work area," he said.
Source: https://en.jubi.co.id/tni-and-police-must-not-shoot-papua-civilians-the-blame-is-on-us-tpnpb