Indonesia, West Papua – The systematic militarisation of West Papua's highland regions since August 2025 represents an unprecedented transformation of civilian territories into military operation zones, with implications for armed conflict escalation, natural resource extraction, and population displacement. The establishment of at least 31 military posts in Intan Jaya alone, combined with similar patterns across Puncak, Puncak Jaya, Paniai, Lanny Jaya, Yahukimo, Nduga, and Pegunungan Bintang regencies, demonstrates coordinated military expansion that far exceeds counterinsurgency requirements.
The impact on armed conflict dynamics has created conditions for protracted violence by placing entire civilian populations directly within combat zones, trapped between opposing armed forces with no safe options for protection. The military's systematic occupation of highland villages, controlling 21 villages in Intan Jaya's Homeyo District, establishing posts throughout Paniai's lakeside communities, occupying border zones in Pegunungan Bintang, and transforming Nduga into what can no longer be considered a functional civilian regency, forces indigenous communities into difficult positions. Remaining in militarised zones risks crossfire or accusations of supporting armed groups, while fleeing to forests results in loss of livelihoods, exposure to harsh conditions, and separation from essential services.
The conversion of civilian infrastructure, including churches in multiple district offices, elementary schools, and community centers, into military installations constitutes systematic violations of international humanitarian law principles requiring distinction between military and civilian objectives. The use of civilian aircraft for troop transport and the restriction of civilian movement in agricultural areas further demonstrate disregard for civilian protection obligations under the Geneva Conventions. Indonesia ratified the 1949 Geneva Conventions through Law No. 59 of 1958, making these provisions binding domestic law.
The massive militarisation coincides precisely with preparations for major extractive projects, most notably the Wabu Block gold mining operations involving five companies, including government-owned companies PT Freeport Indonesia and PT Antam, scheduled to exploit an estimated 116 million tonnes of mineral ore containing gold, silver, nickel, and cobalt beginning in March 2026. The deployment of thousands of non-organic troops using Russian-made helicopters, armored vehicles, and heavy weaponry to occupy entire villages, schools, churches, and district offices reveals a strategic militarisation designed to secure resource-rich territories rather than protect civilian populations.
There seems to be a direct correlation between military deployment patterns and natural resource extraction. Concerns about economic interests behind the militarisation of Intan Jaya had already been highlighted by a group of Indonesian NGOs in 2021. The timing and geography of military operations align precisely with mining concessions and infrastructure projects: Intan Jaya's massive troop deployment precedes Wabu Block operations explicitly approved by government ministries. This pattern indicates displacement is not merely a conflict consequence but a deliberate strategy to clear indigenous populations from resource-rich lands. The prohibition on photographing military installations in Pegunungan Bintang, internet shutdowns during operations in Paniai, and military control of telecommunications in Nduga, where Telkomsel operates only 1-2 hours daily, reveal systematic information control preventing documentation and external monitoring of abuses.
In August 2025, the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) officially launched a new territorial operations campaign targeting the provinces Southwest Papua (Sorong), Papua (Jayapura), and South Papua (Merauke). The operation was launched on 6 August and is presented as a strategic program supporting national development through territorial development approaches in coastal and underdeveloped areas. The stated objectives include building a comprehensive people's defense system while strengthening unity between the military and civilians through activities claimed to provide direct benefits to communities. The territorial operations encompass both physical and non-physical programs. The Indonesian Navy frames this operation as a humanitarian, social, and defense program, emphasizing cross-sectoral collaboration and synergy with local governments to address social, economic, and welfare issues. The military expansion into civilian development spheres occurs amid ongoing armed conflict and humanitarian crises documented throughout West Papua's highland regions.
The Head of Papua's National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) Representative Office, Frits Ramandey, criticized the deployment of non-organic troops to West Papua as legally questionable and operationally problematic, stating that West Papua is not designated as a Military Operations Area (DOM) yet continues receiving outside military forces without proper legislative approval or evaluation. Ramandey explained that Law No 3/2025 requires troop deployments to be based on formal requests and approvals from regional parliaments at the district level and the national DPR for national-level deployments, yet the legal basis, requesting authority, and approval process for West Papua's troop deployments remain unclear. The deployment of non-organic forces has disrupted community security due to historical trauma, created coordination chaos between military units and civil authorities, and caused tensions with local governments. Civilian facilities have been occupied by outside troops without proper coordination with the local communities.
Intan Jaya
Intan Jaya Regency experienced an unprecedented militarisation crisis in September 2025, with at least 31 military posts established throughout the district as part of what local communities and human rights defenders describe as a systematic occupation to secure the gold-rich Wabu Block for exploitation, possibly beginning in March 2026. On 28 September, Russian-made helicopters conducted troop deployments in Kendetapa Village, Homeyo District, with forces taking control of all 21 villages in the district without permission from landowners or local leaders. The military presence expanded rapidly from 11 September onward, with 400 non-organic troops from Kodim Infantry 17/052 occupying the village of Jalai, including the YPPK Fransiskus elementary school and teacher housing. Following the events, residents fled to Sugapa, while 500 additional troops were deployed to Homeyo District with plans to spread 50-person units across all villages. By 25 September, TNI-Polri forces had taken control of Bulapa in Sugapa District, and by 27 September, joint forces launched Operation Obema targeting the TPNPB-OPM headquarters in Ugimba while occupying Gamagae Village. Military training exercises were reportedly conducted every morning at posts like Mamba, causing widespread trauma among indigenous populations who found their entire region transformed into a military operation zone.
It is highly likely, that the militarisation is linked to the Wabu Block gold mining project, which was approved in a November 2024 meeting between Indonesia's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, DPR Committee II, and DPR Commission XII, designating five companies (PT Antam, PT Freeport Indonesia, PT Madinah Qurrata Ain, PT Nasapati Satria, and PT Kotabara Miratama) to commence operations in March 2026 in an area containing an estimated 116 million tonnes of mineral ore including gold, silver, nickel, and cobalt. Human rights activists accused the military deployment of being designed to forcibly evacuate indigenous peoples from their ancestral lands to facilitate mining exploitation, with credible reports suggesting cooperation between the Central Papua Provincial Government, led by Governor Meki Nawipa, and Intan Jaya Regent Aner Maiseni in approving the military operations. The Central Papua Energy and Human Resources (ESDM) Agency openly highlighted the Wabu Block as a strategic regional asset with geological potential equivalent to Papua New Guinea's large-scale mining industry, while emphasizing state-owned and regional enterprises' roles in management, effectively confirming that military operations serve economic rather than security objectives despite the devastating impact on civilian populations.
Local resistance intensified as multiple organisations condemned the militarisation. The Association of Moni Students and University Students (IPMMO) rejected all military post construction and mining plans. Intan Jaya Regent Aner Maiseni publicly expressed disappointment about non-organic forces entering without government notification (despite allegations of his prior approval). The military occupation has caused massive displacement, with entire villages left abandoned as residents fled to the forests. Soldiers reportedly occupied civilian facilities, such as schools, churches, district offices, and private homes, in violation of international humanitarian law principles requiring protection of civilian infrastructure.
Paniai
Paniai Regency in Central Papua Province experienced escalating militarisation in September 2025 when large-scale deployments of non-organic TNI troops sparked widespread community anxiety and protests from local students and indigenous leaders. On 20 September, non-organic troops began arriving via Nabire, with hundreds of personnel using speedboats to patrol Lake Paniai at night and establishing positions in multiple districts, including Ekadide, Pasir Putih, Bibida, and West Paniai. By 25 September, eight trucks carrying TNI troops, seven logistics trucks, and four Hilux vehicles arrived in Enarotali, gathering at Karel Gobai Field with suspected plans to target areas believed to be West Papua Army headquarters. The military operations included nighttime patrols on Lake Paniai using motorized boats, gunfire heard by residents, occupation of villages, and temporary internet shutdowns on 24 September that restricted communication during critical operations. Armed independence groups issued statements affirming readiness to face TNI forces while demanding adherence to international humanitarian law and protection of civilians. They accused the military of deliberately creating conflict conditions to facilitate the exploitation of natural resources, including the Wabu Block gold deposit in Intan Jaya, and oil and gas exploration projects in the province.
The military presence devastated community life and economic activities, particularly affecting fishermen who depend on Lake Paniai for their livelihoods but now fear being mistaken for armed group members by non-organic troops unfamiliar with the indigenous culture and people in Paniai. Local leaders have emphasized that the region had been peaceful before military operations began, with only temporary disturbances, yet non-organic troops conducting unexplained nighttime operations created fear among civilians. On 21 September, residents planning to attend church services reportedly fled into the forests when seven TNI platoons occupied villages in Agadide. The lack of official explanation about the operation's purposes, combined with nighttime movements and occupation of civilian areas, caused residents to reexperience traumas from past military operations that left deep social and psychological wounds.
In response to community distress, hundreds of students from the Paniai Student Solidarity for Humanity and Nature held a peaceful demonstration in Jayapura on 29 September, presenting 15 demands including immediate withdrawal of organic and non-organic military forces, cessation of all military activities disturbing communities, rejection of new Kodim, Koramil, and police post construction, termination of mining permits for gold, coal, oil and gas in Paniai, stopping the Paniai-Intan Jaya trans road construction, halting all military operations in Papua, stopping national strategic projects, and granting West Papuans the right to self-determination. Following community pressure, the Paniai local parliament members held meetings with security forces on 9 September, reaching an agreement to restrict non-organic TNI activities for six months, prohibiting entry into public facilities such as churches, schools, health centers, and district offices, particularly in Ekadide District and throughout the regency, though implementation and enforcement of these restrictions remained uncertain as military operations continued.
Pegunungan Bintang
As of August 2025, three new military posts have been established in the border region with Papua New Guinea's Star Mountains Province, significantly expanding the Indonesian military presence in the area. In Batom District, military forces reportedly occupied the district office and village facilities, while in Okyob Village of Kiwirok Timur District, troops have taken over the district office, village office, and civilian residences. Residents report being prohibited from taking photographs of the military installations, reflecting restrictions on documentation and information flow from these newly militarised border zones. As of late August 2025, military members continue to occupy the GIDI Efesus Sape Church in the Oksop District. Indigenous peoples from military presence in the district continue living in the forest, while the military pressured others to return to their villages, where they live under constant surveillance and restrictions on the freedom of movement.
Lanny Jaya
In late August 2025, Lanny Jaya Regency experienced a significant deployment of non-organic Indonesian military troops affiliated with the Habema Operations Command into remote indigenous villages in Kwiyawagi and Goabalim districts. Between 21 and 23 August, additional troops entered the region, with reports confirming their presence in Gwilo Village (Goabalim Wanugwa District) and Tumbubut Village (Kwiyawagi District) by 26 August. Residents reported that TNI forces forcibly occupied community facilities, including the community center in Tumbubut Village, without any explanation of their purpose or legal authorisation from landowners. The latest deployments to Lanny Jaya Regency reportedly occurred on 11 September, with military personnel being distributed among different districts.
The military presence has severely disrupted daily life for indigenous communities, with troops conducting operations in villages while establishing positions in mountains, forests, and grasslands, effectively restricting residents' freedom of movement and access to traditional activities such as hunting and farming. On 23 August, an additional dozen non-organic TNI soldiers arrived in Lanny Jaya city before proceeding toward Melagineri and Kwiyawagi districts, expanding the military footprint in the area. Local community leaders have issued urgent appeals for public attention and monitoring from humanitarian organisations, emphasising the forced nature of the military occupation and its impact on indigenous communities' rights to their ancestral lands and traditional livelihoods.
Puncak Jaya
Puncak Jaya Regency experienced severe military operations in early August 2025, resulting in civilian casualties and displacement as Indonesian security forces conducted operations ahead of Indonesia's 80th Independence Day celebrations. The most serious incident occurred on August 7 in Oholumu Village, Mewoluk District, when a 13-year-old girl was shot in her right thigh by TNI soldiers while she had stepped outside her house at night to urinate. The child remained unconscious outside for an entire day before being found by residents and eventually transferred to Jayapura on 14 August, with the bullet still lodged in her body for eight days. The military operation involved helicopter assaults beginning at 3:00 am, with forces firing from the air before landing to burn and destroy houses and GIDI church facilities, forcing residents to flee their villages.
The violence continued on 11 August when joint security forces conducted operations in Lumo District, burning civilian homes while converting the GIDI Lumo Church into a military barracks. Several civilians were arrested, others fled into the forest, and multiple children were reported missing, with no comprehensive evacuation conducted. The pattern of military operations destroying religious facilities and residential areas while causing mass displacement reflects systematic violations of civilian protection protocols in conflict zones.
The Indonesian National Foundation of Legal Aid Institutions (YLBHI) and LBH Papua filed formal complaints with the Papua Representative Office of Indonesia's National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM Papua), documenting clear violations of the 1949 Geneva Convention on civilian protection and Indonesia's own Child Protection Law. Puncak Jaya students in Jayapura organized peaceful demonstrations on 22 August demanding the withdrawal of non-organic troops from the regency, while humanitarian organisations called for immediate investigation and advocacy for affected communities.
Nduga
Nduga Regency in the Papua Highlands Province has been transformed into a militarized zone where civilian governance has completely collapsed since late 2018. The military has established at least 18 strategic posts and installations throughout the regency, including positions at Ginik Village, Alguru, Yosema, the Fisheries Office, Krepkuri, Pelabuhan Dua, Hotel Roket, Koteka, Kenyam Airport, and two positions in Dolarisa, in addition to the regency's military and police headquarters. In August 2025, Nduga experienced the deployment of more heavily armoured vehicles. State intelligence agents (BIN) operate undercover as civilians in stores, road construction projects, and community surveillance, while indigenous residents live under constant suspicion and fear. Newcomers are systematically questioned about their origins and purposes, effectively eliminating any semblance of normal civilian life or administrative function in what can no longer be considered a functional regency.
According to reports by Human Rights Defenders, all government offices and public services have ceased functioning, with office grounds overgrown with weeds, no civil servants in official uniforms, and all officials having abandoned their posts and official residences outside the regency. The military has reportedly assumed complete control over the local economy, operating fuel sales, shops, mobile phone credit counters, and timber businesses, while Kenyam Airport, though nominally civilian, is entirely controlled by security forces. Basic infrastructure and services have deteriorated dramatically, with Telkomsel networks controlled by the military and active only 1-2 hours daily, while security forces operate the only paid WiFi access to control information flow. Electricity operates only from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am, preventing daytime office operations.
The humanitarian situation reflects total societal breakdown, with the majority of the population displaced from their villages to Wamena, Timika, Nabire, Yahukimo, and Kenyam city, where the Pasar Baru area has become a temporary settlement for internally displaced persons (IDPs) since 2024. Educational access is severely limited, with only a few elementary, junior, and senior high schools operating in Kenyam City, while most students cannot continue their education due to displacement, financial constraints, and teacher shortages. Many churches have closed and fallen into disrepair, with only small congregations maintaining limited worship activities.