Ahmad Rafiq, ABC, Jakarta – The Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Marshall Hadi Tjahjanto called the formation of the West Papua Army was a separatist activity. In response to the issue, he said, his institution would carry out the law enforcement operation.

"We will carry out law enforcement operation or gakum there," he said in Boyolali, Thursday, July 4.

According to Hadi, TNI along with the National Police (Polri) would run the operation. "The leading sector is Polri, TNI will give hands," he added.

Previously, three armed separatist groups in Papua announced they had joined West Papua Army to lobby for independence from Indonesia and are ready to "take over our country".

The army was under the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) led by exiled leader Benny Wenda. The group uses political and diplomatic means in a push for independence.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1221324/tni-commander-comments-on-west-papua-army