Jakarta – Indonesia's army commander yesterday warned rebels in Aceh province to drop their independence bid or face a military crackdown in the latest challenge to a four-month peace deal.

"If all they talk about is independence, we can't continue this [peace deal]," General Endriarto Sutarto said, adding that he was considering deploying more troops to the region if dialogue failed.

The military has repeatedly accused the Free Aceh Movement of campaigning for independence in violation of the peace pact signed on Dec 9. The accord only mentions autonomy for the region on the northern tip of Sumatra island, but rebel leaders say their goal is for the oil-and-gas rich province to secede.

Lieutenant Jamari Chaniago, the chief of the armed forces' general affairs department, told the Antara news agency: "Everything is ready, we are only awaiting the order." These remarks come in the wake of reports that say the four-month-old peace agreement in the province is under severe strain.

International and local peace monitors are being withdrawn from field offices to the provincial capital because of fears for their safety after mob attacks or intimidation.

Soldiers and police on Tuesday killed nine people they described as suspected rebels.