West Papuan Guerrillas in the Indonesian-occupied Papua region say they have killed nine soldiers in an ambush. The soldiers were killed during search operations to find a New Zealand pilot who was captured by guerrillas.
The Susi Air pilot Phillip Mehrtens was captured by the anti-colonial guerrillas at an airport in the remote Nduga district in February.
The West Papua National Liberation Army, the military wing of Papua’s main guerrilla group, claimed responsibility for an attack on Saturday that they said killed nine soldiers.
The guerrillas had previously demanded that Indonesia recognise Papuan independence in return for the pilot’s release, as well as a meeting with President Joko Widodo facilitated by the international community.
The guerrillas said Saturday’s attack was an act of defence against military activity in the region and demanded the government instead negotiate for Mehrtens’ release.
“The United Nations and the New Zealand government have an obligation to push Indonesia to stop the military operation,” guerrilla spokesman Sebby Sambom said on Sunday.
Flying is the only way to reach mountainous areas in Papua, where guerrilla attacks have risen in recent years.
West Papuan people have fought to end Indonesian colonization for over half a century, and the Indonesian military has been brutal in their oppressive enforcement of colonial occupation.
A former Dutch colony, Papua declared itself independent in 1961, but neighbouring Indonesia took control two years later, promising an independence referendum.
The subsequent vote in favour of staying part of Indonesia was widely considered a sham.