Reasons Why TPNPB-OPM Justifies Killing Gold Miners, Non-Papuans in Conflict Zones

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB OPM) has provided several justifications for its recent attack that led to the deaths of illegal gold miners in Yahukimo Regency, Papua.

“We assert that gold miners, civil servants, teachers, and health workers in conflict zones across Papua are part of the Indonesian government’s military apparatus disguised as civilians,” said TPNPB OPM spokesperson Sebby Sambom.

He claimed that most of them are non-Indigenous Papuans (OAP) and therefore suspected of being government intelligence agents. “Yes, they are intels,” Sebby said in a voice recording sent to Tempo on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

Sebby stated that the TPNPB OPM Kodap XVI Yahukimo is ready to execute anyone who disguises themselves as a motorcycle taxi driver, gold miner, construction worker, and others in the conflict-affected areas.

Therefore, he warned incoming residents in Papua to leave the locations designated as war zones by the TPNPB OPM or armed criminal groups (KKB) immediately. If not, he said they could be considered infiltrators and become targets of the TPNPB OPM.

The following are several reasons and claims by the TPNPB OPM to attack and kill the gold miners in the Yahukimo Regency.

Claims of TNI Intelligence Disguised as Civilians

The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB OPM) has provided several justifications for its recent attack that led to the deaths of illegal gold miners in Yahukimo Regency, Papua.

“We assert that gold miners, civil servants, teachers, and health workers in conflict zones across Papua are part of the Indonesian government’s military apparatus disguised as civilians,” said TPNPB OPM spokesperson Sebby Sambom.

According to Sebby, the killing of dozens of individuals, whom the group identified as military intelligence agents, was intended as a warning to all illegal gold miners to immediately vacate Papua. “We believe they are part of the Indonesian military reserve forces deployed to the region,” he added.

Illegal Gold Miners Have Entered Papua Since 2017

Sebby stated that illegal gold miners have been operating in Papua since 2017, specifically in Korowai and Baya Biru Districts.

He claimed these miners are non-indigenous individuals from other parts of Indonesia and alleged they are part of the Indonesian military’s network.

TNI-Police in Cahoots in Illegal Gold Mining in Papua

The TPNPB OPM further accused members of the TNI and Police of being complicit in illegal mining operations in Korowai

“They’ve deployed excavators and bulldozers with the support of Indonesian military and police forces,” Sebby said in an audio recording shared with Tempo on April 11, 2025.

Sebby claimed to possess strong evidence of this collusion and expressed willingness to present it in international court. He said illegal mining began in 2017, and in 2019 the TPNPB OPM carried out an attack on miners for allegedly causing environmental destruction. Despite that, the operations reportedly resumed, prompting renewed attacks.

Responding to these claims, Brigadier General Kristomei Sianturi, Head of the TNI Information Center, dismissed the statements as disinformation. He accused the armed group (referred to as KKB by the government) of fabricating military affiliations to deflect from accusations of human rights violations.

“They pretend the victims are military personnel to avoid being labeled human rights violators,” Kristomei said at TNI Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on April 9, 2025, as quoted by Antara.

Kristomei added that the hoaxes are meant to mask the group’s violent actions toward civilians and spread fear among local communities. He urged the public not to fall for this propaganda.

Armed Gold Miners

TPNPB OPM also claimed that some of the illegal gold miners in Yahukimo carried firearms. According to Sebby, the group confiscated a pistol from miners in 2019 and accused them of killing seven Papuan residents, including one who was allegedly beheaded.

He alleged the miners’ actions were backed by security forces, which, he said, prompted the TPNPB OPM to launch retaliatory attacks.

Ready to Kill Every Newcomer Living in War Zones

The TPNPB OPM stated that they are ready to attack and kill any newcomer living in Papua. Especially for newcomers who reside in areas designated as war zones by the TPNPB OPM.

"Immigrants are not our people, so we are ready to kill them at any time," said Sebby, Friday.

According to Sebby, the incoming residents are the same as the Indonesian government who came only to oppress the people of Papua. One of them is illegal gold miners who steal natural resources and damage the forest ecosystem in Papua.

"We don't need you, we don't care. Wipe them all out. We've said it, kill them," he said.

The Indonesian government, Sebby said, has never acknowledged the independence of the Papuan people for the past 60 years. Instead of opening a dialogue, the government continues to increase military personnel to serve in Papua.

"So now we will play rough to drive out Indonesia. We have to play rough to succeed," he said.

Sebby explained that the TPNPB OPM has followed the rules of international warfare by giving civilians time to leave the war zones. The areas designated as war zones have also been officially announced to the public.

"Secure the civilians first, then war can take place in those areas," said Sebby.

Vedro Imanuel Girsang, Amelia Rahima Sari, Novali Panji Nugroho, and Antara contributed to the writing of this article.

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