TNI ensures to send 756 new troops to Lebanon despite being urged to withdraw

The Commander of the TNI PMPP, Major General TNI Iwan Bambang Setiawan, talks to Iskandarudin, the father of a TNI soldier who died in Lebanon, Captain Inf Zulmi Aditya Iskandar / ANTARA/ Ricky Prayoga

JAKARTA - The TNI Headquarters ensures that it will still send 756 new personnel as a rotation of peacekeepers in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mission by the end of May 2026, despite pressure for Indonesia to withdraw as the Malaysian government has done.

The Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces Peacekeeping Mission Center (PMPP), Major General TNI Iwan Bambang Setiawan, emphasized that Indonesia's foreign policy in UN missions is independent and not influenced by anything, including the decisions of neighboring countries.

"We can't see it measured by the interests of other countries, yes. If Malaysia has its own calculations, then we leave it to the Malaysian government," said Iwan after visiting the house of one of the soldiers who died in Lebanon, Infantry Captain Zulmi Aditya Iskandar, Cimahi, West Java, Wednesday, April 1 reported by ANTARA.

Iwan emphasized that the mandate of the Indonesian constitution in maintaining world peace will continue according to the schedule set by the United Nations Headquarters, namely May 22, 2026.

The number of personnel to be sent, he continued, is 756 new personnel to Lebanon in accordance with the total quota requested by the United Nations.

The plan is to repatriate soldiers who are currently serving in Lebanon, because they have been serving in the mission area for more than a year.

"On May 22, the rotation plan will be implemented immediately according to the assignment time of one year in the mission area. One year more they are there," said the two-star general.

It is known that three TNI personnel on a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mission were reported to have died while on duty in Lebanon in March 2026.

Based on TNI data, those who fell were Head Soldier Farizal Rhomadhon, Sergeant First Class Muhammad Nur Ichwan, and Captain (inf) Zulmi Aditya Iskandar.

Fahrizal died as a result of an indirect artillery attack near Adchit Al Qusayr, southern Lebanon, Sunday (29/3). Meanwhile, Nur Ichwan and Zulmi died due to vehicle explosions near Bani Haiyyan, Monday (30/3).

Thus, currently there are 753 TNI soldiers who are still serving in the mission area.

Iwan hopes that all the remaining personnel who are currently still in Lebanon can complete the mission well and return to their homeland without any shortcomings.

"God willing, they will all return safely to Indonesia," he said.