Tensions have intensified in Papua in recent weeks, with more Indonesian soldiers and civilians killed in clashes with separatist rebels.

This sparked further military retaliation which many say could trigger retaliation threatening the security of the country’s biggest national sports holiday – the 20th National Sports Week – which will take place in the turbulent region next month.

The multi-sport event, held every four years, will be held for the first time in Papua and will run from October 2 to 15. It will be followed by the 16th Indonesia Paralympic Games in November.

The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement, claimed responsibility for the murder of four soldiers on September 2. earlier but the precursor of more attacks.

Since being labeled a terrorist group earlier this year, the TPNPB has stepped up attacks against the security forces. Group leaders say they are not afraid of Indonesian forces and are ready to orchestrate further attacks.

The group is therefore looking for potential targets to make its mark at the national and international level. The sporting events of October and November therefore provide the rebels with a perfect opportunity to wreak havoc.

Disrupting sporting events could be a perfect opportunity for the rebels to demonstrate their abilities and promote their cause for independence.

Taking place mainly in Jayapura, the provincial capital of Papua, and neighboring districts, the two events will attract more than 7,000 athletes from 34 provinces who will participate in 37 sports. About 25,000 volunteers will also officiate at the events.

This year’s sports festivals, originally scheduled for 2020 but suspended due to the pandemic, are crucial for the Indonesian government as they will help present major development efforts in Papua to the public and distract from military-rebel tensions.

The main stadium where many events will take place is one of the successful projects of the government in the region.

Named in honor of Papua Governor Lukas Enembe, the government spent more than $ 270 million to build the 40,000-seat venue.

It is the second largest stadium in the country after the Bung Karno sports stadium in Jakarta and it took three years to build.

Disrupting sporting events could be the perfect opportunity for the rebels to demonstrate their abilities and promote their cause of independence which they have pursued for half a century.

A low-intensity insurgency has been brewing in Papua since the former Dutch colony became part of Indonesia following a controversial United Nations-sponsored referendum in 1969.

The division of the region into two provinces – Papua and West Papua – in 1999 and the extension of the region’s autonomy status last month did not help matters.

The last year has seen an upsurge in violence. The attacks escalated, killing dozens of rebels, security forces and civilians.

The situation worsened when the militants killed the head of the Papuan intelligence service, the brigadier. General Putu Danny Nugraha Karya, in a shootout in April.

He urged the government to designate Papuan separatist groups as terrorists to allow further punitive actions against them and unleashed large military operations.

Earlier this month, police arrested four suspected separatists accused of being involved in the murder of two construction workers last month, as well as a suspected financier of the rebel movement.

In retaliation, a group of armed men attacked a military post in West Papua, killing four soldiers and seriously injuring two others.

It is also believed that many Islamic terrorists are hiding in Papua, which could also pose a threat to sporting events.

Many see this and the threat that accompanies it as a precursor to an attack on one of the sporting events to come. How they would go about doing this, everyone is guessing.

They have become masters of the guerrilla warfare, setting up ambushes in remote areas with firearms and primitive weapons, but attacking a heavily guarded event is another matter altogether.

No one really knows how powerful the Papuan militants have become, and the possibility that they are cooperating with veteran Islamic terrorists with expertise in bomb making should not be underestimated.

It is also believed that many Islamic terrorists are hiding in Papua and could also pose a threat to sporting events or use them as a diversion to attack Christian targets.

The thwarting by an anti-terrorism squad in May of a plot by members of the Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) terrorist group to attack Papuan churches in the Archdiocese of Merauke and a Catholic archbishop intensified this fear.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD has downplayed any threats and assured people that upcoming sporting events in Papua will run smoothly and security will be tightened, with more than 6,000 police and soldiers deployed for next month’s sports week and its progress with the arrival of participants from September 20.

However, he failed to allay concerns about possible religious targets. Therefore, it is important that the police and soldiers focus not only on the security of sports venues, but also on church facilities.

At the same time, the authorities must ensure the participation of the local population and foster a sense of belonging so that the events are not seen as a government propaganda program but as a community event that makes Papuans feel at home. new specials after years of discrimination and oppression.

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The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official editorial position of UCA News.

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