KSAD: TNI AD Mulai Siapkan Personel Misi Board of Peace

KSAD General TNI Maruli Simanjuntak/PHOTO: Teddy Kurniawan-VOI

JAKARTA - The Chief of Staff of the Army, General TNI Maruli Simanjuntak, stated that the TNI AD has begun preparing personnel for the planned deployment of peacekeepers in conflict areas, such as Gaza.

This statement was made by Maruli after attending the TNI-Polri Leadership Meeting with President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Monday, February 9.

Maruli said that currently the coordination process related to the assignment of peacekeepers is still ongoing.

He said the determination of personnel needs would be determined after there was an official directive from the party coordinating the mission in Gaza, then forwarded to the TNI Headquarters and the Army Headquarters.

"It's still going on, right. So, we are waiting for the results of the coordination that coordinates in Gaza. Later to the TNI Headquarters, then later to the AD Headquarters, what kind of character the personnel need, we will prepare," explained Maruli.

Although the location of the assignment has not been determined, Maruli ensured that initial preparations in the internal TNI AD had begun. The personnel prepared were focused on the character of the peace force, including health elements.

Regarding the location of the assignment, Maruli emphasized that the decision to send troops to Gaza or Lebanon was not in the hands of the Indonesian Army.

"It's better to ask the TNI Headquarters. If we are only preparing troops," he said.

Maruli said the number of personnel prepared was still an estimate and not final. The strength of the troops prepared could reach one brigade.

"It could be one brigade, 5,000 to 8,000 (personnel) maybe. But everything is still being negotiated, it's not certain. So, there is no certainty of the number until now," said Maruli.

He also said he could not confirm when the troop deployment would be carried out.