The Government is Ready to Evacuate the TNI Troops if the Conditions in Lebanon Worsen

TNI troops who are part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs (Kemenko Polkam) considers the withdrawal of TNI troops from Lebanon to be one of the options if the security conditions in the area of assignment are not conducive and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is unable to provide protection to soldiers.

"If the mandate of UNIFIL is no longer able to provide protection for peacekeepers, then an early withdrawal of troops is one of the options being considered," said Head of the Public Relations and Information Bureau of the Ministry of Defense, Honi Havana, in Jakarta, Tuesday, May 12.

According to Honi, this option shows that the safety of soldiers is the government's top priority. However, the government considers that sending TNI soldiers to Lebanon is still feasible by considering a number of factors.

Honi explained that the government continues to receive the latest reports from the TNI and the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Beirut regarding the development of the security situation in the conflict area.

The two institutions are also said to have prepared mitigation measures if there is a threat to the safety of TNI soldiers on duty.

In addition, the government also has the option of moving troops from one assignment location to another location to adjust to the security situation on the ground.

"Reorganizing and repositioning the strength of the troops with consideration of the effectiveness of protection, can be in the form of evacuation or relocation of the task force post according to the prevailing security situation," he said.

Another factor to be considered, said Honi, is the commitment of the United Nations (UN) to be transparent and independent in investigating any incident that threatens the security of TNI personnel in Lebanon.

"We hold the commitment to guarantee the accountability of the responsible parties and the UN protection mechanism and the enforcement of international law on the safety of peacekeepers," said Honi.

With these various factors, the government believes that TNI personnel serving in Lebanon will continue to receive full support from the Indonesian government and the United Nations.

The government is scheduled to send 780 TNI personnel who are members of the Garuda Contingent Task Force (Konga) UNIFIL by the end of May 2026.

The departure of the soldiers was carried out to replace TNI personnel who had carried out their duties for one year in Lebanon.