Merdeka West Papua Support Network

The conflict between Indonesian state forces and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) is entering a more dangerous phase. The military’s new approach uses more advanced weaponry, including aerial and drone strikes, which are proving far more lethal than former patterns of conventional exchanges of gunfire. As well as becoming more deadly, ACLED records the increased frequency of these attacks - nearly threefold since retired military general, President Prabowo Subianto, took office.

Why is Indonesia’s Papua region becoming deadlier? ACLED’s East Asia Pacific Senior Research Assistant Sindy Ajara comments on the increase in violence in Indonesia’s Papua region.

⚠️⚠️⚠️ INDONESIAN MILITARY KIDNAPS TWO PAPUAN CHILDREN ⚠️⚠️⚠️

On 26 May 2026, Indonesian Navy Marines (TNI-AL) allegedly abducted two Papuan boys — Atinus Payage (16) and Aman Heluka (17) — in Dekai, Yahukimo, Papua Highlands.

The students had just completed their school exams and were walking home when armed military personnel reportedly jumped from a truck, seized them in public, and drove them away. No warrant. No explanation. No information for their families.

For days, their parents have not known where they are, whether they are alive, injured, tortured, or secretly detained.

This is not law enforcement. This is the kidnapping of Indigenous Papuan children by the Indonesian military.

The Indonesian security forces have repeatedly targeted Papuan children and minors:

• In Dogiyai (August 2025), Indonesian forces opened fire on a group of Papuan children, killing 14-year-old Martinus Tebai and seriously wounding two other 14-year-olds.

• In Intan Jaya (May 2025), a 5-year-old boy was shot during a military operation at dawn.

• In Nduga (2022), 17-year-old Parunus Lokbere was reportedly executed by security forces after being tracked by a military drone.

• In Yahukimo (2024), two Papuan minors, Melianus Baye and Benny Elopere, were arbitrarily arrested, tortured, and accused in an aircraft shooting case before later being acquitted in court.

• In Dekai (February 2026), dozens of Papuan youth — including children as young as 14 — were arbitrarily detained during military raids and interrogations.

The disappearance of Atinus and Aman reflects the ongoing militarisation, racism, and impunity imposed on West Papua.

Indonesia continues to violate the rights of Indigenous children through arbitrary arrests, shootings, torture, disappearances, and military terror.

Documented by Human Rights Monitor:

Military personnel detained two pupils without warrant in Dekai, Yahukimo - Relatives unable to confirm their whereabouts - On 26 May 2026, Indonesian Marine Corps arbitrarily arrested Atinus Payage and Aman Heluka in Dekai, Yahukimo, Papua Highlands Province

The brutality of the Indonesian colonial security forces has once again shown its true face in the land of Papua. Today, Sunday, May 10, 2026, a brutal shooting action carried out by members of the Brimob unit occurred in Idadagi Village, Dogiyai Regency. In this bloody event, an unarmed civilian named Nopison Tebai was reported killed instantly after being struck by hot lead from the apparatus that is supposed to protect the people.

​The shooting of Nopison Tebai in Idadagi Village adds to the long list of crimes against humanity committed by the Indonesian military and police in the Meepago region. As of now, the temporary chronology shows that the apparatus carried out repressive actions without clear procedures, resulting in the senseless loss of a civilian life. The situation in Dogiyai Regency is currently reported to be tense, with residents haunted by fear of follow-up attacks from the colonial forces.

​The Idadagi tragedy is not a single incident, but rather a continuation of a systematic ethnic cleansing series in Papua. Not even two months ago, precisely in late March 2026, armed violence in Dogiyai also claimed the lives of at least five civilians whose legal processes remain buried in the false promises of investigations by Komnas HAM and the Central Papua Regional Police. This escalation of violence proves that Jakarta has no good intention to resolve the conflict, but instead continues to send "killing machines" to silence the independence aspirations of the Papuan people.

West Papua Today DOGIYAI – The brutality of the Indonesian colonial security forces has once again shown its true face in the land of Papua. Today, Sunday, May 10, 2026, a brutal shooting action carried out by members of the Brimob unit occurred in Idadagi Village, Dogiyai Regency. In this bloody event, an unarmed...

4️⃣FOUR CIVILIANS MURDERED AND 7️⃣SEVEN MORE SEVERLY INJURED IN OMUIKA, PUNCAK AFTER INDONESIA MILITARY OPEN FIRED😡😡😡

🏠🏡ENTIRE COMMUNITES FORCIBLY DISPLACED

The Indonesian military (TNI) conducted operations in Omukia District, Puncak Regency, between 1 and 6 May 2026 which reportedly resulted in the deaths of four indigenous Papuans, including two women.

Seven villagers reportedly were injured by b***y traps that military personnel had planted under one of the bodies.

Following the operations, entire indigenous communities in the surrounding area fled to safety.

Security force personnel allegedly opened fire at unarmed civilians working in their gardens.

Military operations in Omukia District. Puncak Regency, leave at least four indigenous Papuans dead – Seven other wounded by explosive during evacuation of bodies - Indonesian military conducted operations in Omukia District, Puncak Regency, on1 and 6 May 2026, killing four victims, including two women.