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JAKARTA – A claim by the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Association (TPNPB-OPM) that they downed a Hercules aircraft over the Yahukimo region has sparked confusion, with the Indonesian military asserting the report centers around recirculated footage. Is this a genuine escalation in conflict, or a calculated attempt too sow discord?
Military Disputes Downed Aircraft Claim
The TPNPB-OPM alleges shooting down an aircraft on January 16, 2026, but Indonesian authorities maintain itS an old video resurfaced to create tension.
- The TPNPB-OPM, through spokesperson Sebby Sambom, claims duty for shooting down a Hercules aircraft near yahukimo.
- The Indonesian military’s Cenderawasih Regional Military Command disputes the claim, labeling the circulating video as previously released.
- A planned visit by Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka to Yahukimo was canceled on January 14,2026,due to security concerns.
- Yahukimo is one of nine regions in Papua designated as a conflict zone by the TPNPB-OPM.
Sebby Sambom, spokesperson for the TPNPB headquarters, stated the alleged shooting occurred on friday, January 16, 2026, based on reports from Battalion Commander Enos M. Yoal and HSSBI Kodap XVI Yahukimo Operations Commander Wene Kobak. “We shot it down because it entered the war zone in Yahukimo,” Sambom said in a written statement on Saturday, January 17, 2026. He further claimed the aircraft, allegedly belonging to the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), was targeted on Gunung Street, Yahukimo, with forces “riddling the aircraft’s body with bullets.”
Sambom issued a warning to civilian aircraft, urging them not to be used for military transport, including TNI equipment. “We are ready to shoot, please leave the war zone in Yahukimo,” he stated.
Colonel Try Poerwanto, commander of the Cenderawasih Regional Military Command (Kodam), refuted the TPNPB-OPM’s claim.He explained that the widely circulated video footage purportedly showing the downed aircraft was from a previous incident. “The video circulating is an old video that is being recirculated to create tension,” Poerwanto stated. “There was no aircraft shot down recently.”
The cancellation of Vice president Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s visit to Yahukimo on January 14,2026,adds another layer to the situation. Sources indicate the decision was made following intelligence reports and security assessments that highlighted potential disruptions and risks associated with the visit. The President was also canceled due to security concerns.
The TPNPB-OPM has designated nine regions in Papua as conflict zones, including Yahukimo, and continues to engage in armed conflict with Indonesian security forces.