Papua: 83,177 Security Forces Deployed, Over 107,000 Civilians Displaced

Human rights monitors confirm at least 83,177 security personnel — 56,517 TNI (military) and 26,660 Polri (police) — are now deployed across Papua's six provinces, making it the largest military footprint in any part of Indonesia since the Aceh conflict. Over 107,039 civilians remain internally displaced, with minimal state humanitarian assistance reaching affected communities. The deployment follows a January 2026 large-scale land-and-air operation in Puncak Regency. Earlier in 2026, TPNPB (West Papua National Liberation Army) militants killed a Smart Air pilot and co-pilot during a landing in Papua (February), attacked Freeport McMoRan mining facilities in Nabire (February), and ambushed a Freeport truck at the Grasberg mine site (March). The Indonesian government plans two new Kodam (Military Regional Commands) in Nabire and Sorong. Human rights organizations including Project Multatuli, Amnesty International, and the Human Rights Monitor report that access for journalists and UN Special Rapporteurs remains blocked.