Indonesian Lawmaker Urges Review of UNIFIL Amid Rising Dangers in Lebanon

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Deputy Chairman of Commission I of the House of Representatives, Anton Sukartono Suratto, expressed his support for the proposed evaluation of the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon. He considers this step crucial to prioritizing the safety of Indonesian soldiers on duty.

"Indonesian troops are not present to wage war, but to maintain stability and support the peace process in conflict areas. Peacekeeping forces should be present in post-conflict areas, not during conflict," Anton said in a statement in Jakarta on Monday, April 6, 2026.

He said that conditions in South Lebanon are currently increasingly unfavorable for peacekeeping forces. This situation is poses a high risk to the safety of personnel serving in the region.

"In this context, I agree with Mr. SBY's view. Given the increasingly unstable situation in the UNIFIL deployment area, this needs to be seriously evaluated," he said.

He also encouraged taking concrete steps to protect soldiers, including relocating the deployment to a safer area. If conditions continue to deteriorate, he believes that temporarily suspending the mission could be an option.

"Immediate firm action is needed to prioritize the safety of soldiers, such as relocating the deployment to a safer area or temporarily suspending the mission," he said.

According to Anton, under international humanitarian law, peacekeepers must be fully protected. They should not be targeted or affected by military operations.

He also urged the Indonesian government to evaluate the involvement of soldiers in the mission. He also considered the option of troop withdrawal necessary for the safety of personnel.

"A comprehensive evaluation of the continuity of the mission, relocation, including the option of troop withdrawal, is a form of state responsibility in protecting its citizens serving abroad," Anton said.

Previously, former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) expressed his condolences over the deaths of three Indonesian Military (TNI) soldiers during a peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. He urged the UN to take immediate and decisive action regarding the continuation of the deployment.

SBY assessed that the peacekeeping forces were positioned in an area prone to active conflict. This situation was considered dangerous due to the potential impact of the ongoing fighting.

"Based on this argument, the UN and New York should immediately take a firm decision and take decisive action to terminate the UNIFIL deployment. Or relocate their location outside the currently raging battlefield," said SBY in a post on his X account @SBYudhoyono on Sunday, April 5, 2026.

SBY also supported President Prabowo Subianto's call for a thorough investigation. He emphasized the importance of transparency in explaining the incident involving Indonesian troops.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is a United Nations (UN) peacekeeping force tasked with maintaining stability in conflict-ridden southern Lebanon. It was established by a UN Security Council resolution in 1978. This step was taken in response to the ongoing conflict between Lebanon and Israel.

UNIFIL's headquarters are located in Naqoura, a strategically important region in southern Lebanon. The force consists of military and civilian personnel from various UN member states.

UNIFIL now plays an important role in maintaining regional stability. Some of its main tasks include, m onitoring the cessation of hostilities between warring parties in Southern Lebanon, supporting the Lebanese army in maintaining regional security, and ensuring access to humanitarian aid for civilians.

UNIFIL also guards the sensitive area between the Blue Line and the Litani River. This area must remain free of illegal weapons to ensure stability.

Coordinating with Lebanon and Israel is also a crucial part of UNIFIL's mission. UNIFIL acts as a mediator to prevent further escalation of the conflict.

UNIFIL's presence symbolizes the global commitment to maintaining world peace. The mission demonstrates the importance of international cooperation in reducing armed conflict. (Misni Parjiati/Bambang MBKA)