Indonesia, West Papua – Since early 2023, military operations in West Papua have intensified, with security forces frequently launching joint operations involving army, police, and special forces units in conflict-affected regencies across the central highlands.
These campaigns have resulted in serious human rights violations potentially meeting legal elements for crimes against humanity, including arbitrary arrests, torture, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the internal displacement of ten thousands of indigenous Papuans. Intan Jaya has emerged as one of the epicenters of armed conflict, largely due to its strategic location and its proximity to the resource-rich Wabu Block, where gold exploration interests intersect with growing unrest.
The most recent outbreak of violence in Intan Jaya occurred on 27 March 2025 after a reported armed assault by West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) fighters on an Indonesian military convoy in the Janamba village. Five Indonesian soldiers were reportedly killed during combat between 27 and 29 March 2025. In response, the Indonesian military launched counterinsurgency operations across multiple districts, targeting what they claimed were insurgent positions. Evidence collected by local human rights defenders indicate that civilian areas were indiscriminately bombarded, resulting in widespread displacement and at least one civilian death.
Human Rights Monitor (HRM) calls on Indonesian authorities to allow immediate humanitarian access, halt indiscriminate military operations in civilian areas, and facilitate an independent investigation into allegations of international humanitarian law violations, including the killing of Mr Okto Zanambani and the bombing of civilian infrastructure. HRM calls for the protection of civilians and the respect for indigenous peoples' rights during security operations in West Papua.
Aerial bombardment & counterinsurgency operations
Between 27 March and 3 April 2025, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) launched a large-scale counterinsurgency operation in the Intan Jaya Regency, Papua Tengah Province, targeting the TPNPB. The operation included coordinated ground assaults and heavy aerial bombardments using aircrafts, helicopters, and combat drones.
Between 28 and 30 March, air raids were reported in multiple civilian areas, including the villages of Soanggama, Janamba, Hitadipa, Eknemba, and Titigi, located in the districts of Sugapa and Hitadipa. According to local informants, at least six airstrikes were conducted with bombs dropped on the Ndogi mountain, Bulapa, Ilogau, Joambili, Ugimba, and Janamba – areas exclusively inhabited by indigenous Papuans (see photos below, source: independent HRDs). Video material collected by human rights defenders confirmed the use of drone-dropped explosives and air raids by two large military planes, including a CASA C-212 military plane, and helicopters (see photo below, source: independent HRDs).
Witnesses reported sustained bombing and gunfire from helicopters from 28 March onward. The bombings destroyed farmland, homes, and local infrastructure, causing terror among the population. Despite these damages, the government has not confirmed any official civilian casualty figures or presented justification for the attacks on civilian areas.
Internal displacement & humanitarian consequences
The aerial bombardments caused fear among the indigenous population and led to mass displacement in the districts Sugapa and Hitadipa. According to local observers, an estimated number of 7,000 civilians from at least ten affected villages have fled as a result of the military operations (see photos below, source: independent HRD). Human rights observers reported that the displacement figure was based on official voter registration records, excluding children and unregistered residents. The figure appears realistic considering demographic data of 2010, which indicates that the districts were inhabited by approxiamtely 15,000 people..
The affected communities include Soanggama, Zanamba, Hitadipa, Eknemba, Titigi, Mamba, Sambili, Wandoga, Yokatapa, and Bilogai. Most displaced persons sought refuge in the town of Sugapa or nearby villages considered temporarily safe. Indigenous families fled their homes leaving behind livestock, food reserves, and personal belongings. As of early April, most IDPs had not returned due to continued insecurity and fear of further airstrikes.
Churches and the local government reportedly distributed food supplies to IDPs in the Hitadipa District. However, reports indicate that humanitarian access remains limited, and essential needs such as shelter, medical care, and child protection services are unmet.