Indonesian Air Force Air Patrol Monitors Aceh Waters To Prevent Regional Violations

The TNI AU CN 295 aircraft carrying out air patrols at Sultan Iskandar Muda Air Base (SIM), Aceh Besar, Tuesday (19/12/2023). BETWEEN/HO-Languar SIM Information

BANDA ACEH - TNI Air Force (AU) held an air patrol Operation Mata Elang 23 monitoring violations of state territory as well as observations of Rohingya immigrants in the eastern waters of Aceh Province.

The Commander of the Air Base (Danlanud) Sultan Iskandar Muda Colonel Pnb Yoyon Kuscahyono said the observation operation used the TNI AU CN 295 aircraft from Air Squadron 2 Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Jakarta.

"We have reported the results of the observations of Operation Mata Elang 23 to the top command and coordinated with the Indonesian Navy, the police and local governments," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, December 19.

The air operation is a support for the Navy's operations in monitoring disturbances and violations of state sovereignty in waters such as the entry of Rohingya immigrants.

"This operation also involved the Indonesian Navy Casa NC-212 aircraft and helicopters with a mission to support the Segara-23 Tombak Operation. This operation is to secure the waters of the eastern region of Aceh," said Yoyon Kuscahyono.

Danlanud Sultan Iskandar Muda said the geography of Aceh Province borders the Malacca Strait in the east and the Indian Ocean in the west often entered Rohingya immigrants illegally.

The territorial waters also border Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore. These countries are tightening entry to the Rohingya immigrants, said Yoyon Kuscahyono.

"The Rohingya immigrants have been living in refugee camps in Bangladesh. They are in the form of reaching other countries from refugee camps using ships without visas, other travel documents," said Yoyon Kuscahyono.