TNI-OPM Clash Kills 15 Civilians; Bupati: Our People Know Nothing, But They Die

The ongoing armed conflict in Papua has once again claimed innocent lives, with a recent clash between the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) of the OPM resulting in the tragic deaths of 15 civilians. The incident, which took place in Kembru Village on April 14, 2026, has drawn sharp criticism from local leaders and human rights organizations, who are questioning the protection afforded to the indigenous population.

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My people are gone, without fault. Small children are not wrong. Mothers are not wrong. My people are not wrong.

Elvis Tabuni, the Regent of Puncak, Papua Tengah, expressed his profound grief and frustration over the continued violence that affects his people. In a tearful video message, he lamented that ordinary citizens, including children and mothers, have become victims of a conflict they have no part in. "My people are gone, without fault. Small children are not wrong. Mothers are not wrong. My people are not wrong," he stated, emphasizing the helplessness of the local population caught in the crossfire.

Theo Hesegem, Director of the Papua Justice and Human Integrity Foundation, echoed these sentiments, urging President Prabowo Subianto to address the conflict with a focus on humanitarian concerns and civilian protection. He highlighted that the Kembru incident underscores a failure in safeguarding human rights in Papua, even in times of armed conflict. Hesegem stressed that international humanitarian law mandates the protection of civilians not directly involved in hostilities, a principle that appears to be disregarded in the Papua conflict.

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Our people know nothing. But they die.

This tragedy underscores the deep-seated issues in Papua, where the pursuit of independence by armed groups clashes with the Indonesian state's efforts to maintain control. While Indonesian authorities often frame the conflict as a security issue involving separatists, local voices like Regent Tabuni's emphasize the devastating human cost borne by the civilian population. The international community's attention is often focused on the political and security dimensions, sometimes overlooking the profound suffering of the indigenous communities who are caught in the middle, bearing the brunt of a conflict they did not initiate.

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I ask President Prabowo Subianto to view this event from a humanitarian perspective by prioritizing the protection of civilians.