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Rebels in Indonesia's Papua Kill Eight, Military Says
The military said teams are evacuating the bodies and hunting the shooters after the rebels claimed the victims were undercover security officers.
- On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, armed separatists killed eight gold miners in the Yahukimo district of Papua Pegunungan province, Indonesia's military reported on Thursday.
- The West Papua National Liberation Army claimed responsibility, alleging the victims were "soldiers/police officers disguised as illegal gold miners," with spokesman Sebby Sambom calling the attack a "cleansing operation."
- Denying the rebels' assertions, Lieutenant-Colonel Wirya Arthadiguna confirmed the military deployed teams to track shooters and evacuate victims' bodies by helicopter.
- Past attacks in Yahukimo underscore recurring violence; separatists killed at least 11 miners last year and 10 civilians in 2022, often accused of being undercover soldiers.
- Resource-Rich Papua has faced a separatist movement since coming under Indonesian control following a 1969 United Nations-overseen referendum, with activists calling for fresh polls.
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Eight miners killed in separatist attack in eastern Indonesia
Eight gold miners were killed in an attack carried out by armed separatist fighters in Yahukimo Regency, located in Indonesia’s Highland Papua Province, on Wednesday, according to a statement released by the Indonesian military on Thursday, News.Az reports, citing Xinhua. Military spokesperson Wirya Arthadiguna stated that the victims were civilians who were engaged in gold panning activities in the Korowai area. He rejected claims made by the W…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left4Leaning Right3Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution45% Left
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources lean Left
45% Left
L 45%
C 22%
R 33%
Factuality
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