Expert Urges Enhanced Protection for Indonesian Troops in Lebanon Operations

RRI.CO.ID, Surabaya - Constitutional law expert Mahfud MD has urged the government to guarantee the safety of Indonesian military (TNI) soldiers serving on peacekeeping missions in Lebanon, following the recent death of an Indonesian soldier.

Mahfud stressed that soldiers deployed abroad are carrying out a state mandate, and their safety must therefore be a top priority.

“TNI soldiers are going there as part of the state’s mandate. Therefore, their safety must be guaranteed. If they are not safe, there must be an explanation as to why,” Mahfud said at the Indonesian College of Economics Surabaya (STESIA) on Monday, April 27, 2026.

He highlighted the responsibility of commanders to ensure the security of peacekeeping forces in conflict zones, noting that conditions on the ground are increasingly complex as warring parties often disregard international law.

“Even though peacekeeping forces are under the purview of the UN, some parties do not fully comply with these regulations,” he said.

Mahfud also pointed to indiscriminate attacks that frequently target facilities and personnel, including healthcare services and medical workers, which heighten the risks faced by Indonesian soldiers serving in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

He called on the government to clarify its stance on Indonesia’s involvement in the mission and to ensure maximum protection for all personnel in the field.

Regarding the possible withdrawal of TNI troops from Lebanon, Mahfud emphasized that the decision rests entirely with the government and military institutions. “That is the authority of the TNI and the government,” he said.

To date, at least four Indonesian soldiers have died in Lebanon while serving in the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission. (Misni Parjiati/Lasti Martina)