IDP Update December 2024: Security raids trigger new displacements in Nduga, Intan Jaya, Tambrauw and Pegunungan Bintang

As of December 2024, more than 85,103 people in West Papua [1] remain internally displaced as a result of armed conflict between Indonesian security forces and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB). Between October and December 2024, new internal displacements were reported in the regencies of Nduga, Tambrauw, Intan Jaya and Pegunungan Bintang. Security force members reportedly bombed multiple villages in the Kroptak District, Nduga Regency, from helicopters. In Tambrauw, people fled in fear of raids after the TPNPB attacked security forces in the Bamusbama District. The internal displacement in Oksop was triggered by the deployment of a significant number of military members in the district without informing local communities about the purpose of the deployment. Civilians in Titigi, Eknemba, and Ndugisiga Villages, Intan Jaya Regency, fled to the forest due to the deployment of military troops in their areas. Komnas HAM facilitated the reurn of 64 IDPs from Maybrat in late December 2024.

The Papua Council of Churches (DGP) and Native Pastors (Pastor Pribumi) organised an exhibition on the situation of IDPs in West Papua. The exhibition was launched in Jayapura on 7 December, 2024 to bring more public attention to the plight of conflict-related IDPs who continue to be widely neglected by the Indonesian Central Government.

Human Rights Monitor has not received updated information on the condition and numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Yahukimo, Fakfak, Paniai, and Puncak regencies in the past three months.

Districts Bamusbama and Fef, Tambrauw Regency

New internal displacements in Tambrauw, Papua Barat Province, were reported from the districts of Bamusbama and Fef after joint security forces raided the Bamusbama village on 30 November 2024. According to human rights defenders in Tambrauw, 128 people from the villages Bamuswayman, Wormon, Babak, Bamusbama, Bano, Syarwom, and Banfot fled their homes in fear of the potential further raids or armed clashes in the area. The security force raids followed an armed clash between security forces and TPNPB members in Bamusbama Town on 30 November 2024. The TPNPB claimed to have killed three security personnel during the clash.

Despite the trauma and fear, the residents chose to return home because the forest was no safe place for them. The village head, elders, and community leaders who participated in the evacuation decided to bring the residents back to the village, and they began to return on 3 and 4 December 2024. Even though they have returned home, they are still under pressure and living in fear, preventing them from resuming normal activities as they remain constantly vigilant.

Following reports of the internal displacements circulating on social and local media, the Tambrauw Police Chief, Commissioner Aries Dwi Cahyanto, claimed in a media statement on 8 December 2024 that the situation in Tambrauw had normalised and that the information about the internal displacements was a hoax.

About 400 people from the villages Bamuswayman, Wormon, and Bamusbama fled to the forest on 26 December 2024 after TPNPB members reportedly shpt dead three military members and attacked two Non-Papuan civilians with machetes

IDPs in the Tambrauw Regency, early December 2024

IDPs in the Tambrauw Regency, late December 2024

Oksop District, Pegunungan Bintang Regency

Human rights defenders documented the deployment of a larger number of Indonesian military personnel to the Oksop Regency between 28 November and 9 December 2024. The soldiers were brought in by military helicopters, and no major incident or violent clash occurred in Oksob before the deployments. On 4 December 2024, military members patrolled through the gardens and reportedly occupied the Oksop District office. The residents, mainly belonging to the indigenous Ngalum tribe, were not informed about the reason for the deployments, which caused fear among villagers. Following the arrival of the military members, more than 3,300 IDPs fled their homes on 8 December 2024 in fear of potential outbreaks of armed violence, security force raids, and reprisals. More military personnel were brought to Oksop on 9 December 2024. Military operations in Alutbakon Village reprotedly involved shooting and dropping bombs using armed drones. These attacks resulted in the destruction of residential houses and gardens. Crops and livestock such as pigs, chickens, and fish were seized by members of the military for consumtion without asking permission.

In Mimin Village, military members reportedly occupied the GIDI Ephesus Church on 9 December 2024 (see photo below, the GIDI Epesus Church is highlighted with a green circle, source: GIDI), using the building to accommodate the military personnel. In a press release dated 9 December 2024, GIDI church (Gereja Injili Di Indonesia) representatives demanded the immediate withdrawal of military personnel from the church facilities and the Oksop District, allowing the people to celebrate Christmas at home. 

Among the IDPs are many elderly, children, sick people, and pregnant women who struggle particularly in dealing with the harsh living conditions in the highland jungle, where the IDPs built temporary shelters. According to information compiled by the GIDI Church, the IDPs originate from Oketumi, Mimin, Alutbakon, Atenor, and Bumbakon villages. Information received on 11 December 20254, mentioned 251 toddlers, 45 elderly persons, ten pregnant women, and at least six sick persons urgently requiring medical attention among the IDPs. All lack sufficient shelter, food, and other humanitarian needs. The sound of gunfire and explosions left many IDPs and traumatised. Some youths reportedly suffered mental breakdowns due to psychological distress.

As of 31 December 2024, IDPs continue hiding in the forest. The GIDI Church reported that the IDPs suffer from the harsh conditions in the temporary shelters. According to local observers, IDPs show symptoms of Malaria, respiratory infections, with some defacating and vomiting blood. The diseases are exacerbated by lack of access to nutritious food and healthcare in the camps. An elderly woman named Mrs Paulina Lepki from the Mimim Village reortedly died in the forest shelter on 26 December 2024 (see video below, source: GIDI Church)

Press statement by the Secretariat for Justice and Peace of the GIDI Church), 9 December 2024

IDPs in Oksop, early December 2024

IDPs in Oksop, late December 2024

Nduga Regency

Military members reportedly raided the villages Miniem, Gol, and Golparek in the Kroptak District on 7 December 2024. The assault involved aerial operations using five helicopters and subsequent ground sweeps. The operation led to the burning of civilian homes, the destruction of public infrastructure, including churches, and significant disruption to the lives of residents. While there were no reported fatalities during the raid, the incident has caused extensive displacement and hardship for the local indigenous population.

According to the information compiled by human rights defenders in Kroptak, the raid began with helicopters landing at the Lendumu airstrip, from where the military personnel conducted operations along two routes. On the route from the Lendumu Airstrip to the Miniem, Gol, and Golparek villages, the military members allegedly burned a total of 13 houses — five in Miniem, three in Gol, and five in Golparek. The second route from Lendumu to Pesat, Kroptak, and Komoroam villages involved additional destruction, including the bombing of a teacher’s house and a church belonging to the Christian Evengelical Church in Indonesia (GKII). Military members seized gardening tools and took the villagers’ personal belongings, killed their livestock, destroyed kitchen equipment, and removed zink roof sheets to build a military outpost, leaving them without shelter or essentials (see photos below, source: independent HRDs).

Approximately 2,000 residents have reportedly been displaced as a result of the raid. The IDPs have sought refuge in forests building temporary camps. Among the displaced are 65 toddlers, eight pregnant women, five severely ill individuals, and 15 elderly persons. The IDPs lack access to medical care, food and other humanitarina needs. The situation is exacerbated by insufficient response from the local government in Nduga, leaving residents exposed to harsh conditions, including rain, wind, and mosquito-borne illnesses. Meanwhile, the military maintains control over six villages, two churches, and three military posts in Kroptak, heightening concerns for the safety of the IDPs.

In November 2024, IDPs from Nduga demanded the establishment of special polling stations for IDPs from Nduga living in Wamena, Jayawijaya Regency. Most of them fled from the Nduga in 2019, after a major breakout of armed violence in the regency. The request underscores the critical need to uphold the right to political participation for the IDPs. Despite this, the General Election Commission (KPU) has not ensured accessible voting arrangements for the IDPs, forcing them to travel to unsafe or logistically challenging locations to exercise their voting rights.

Raids in the Kroptak District on 7 December 2024

IDPs from Kroptak District, Nduga Regency, after arriving in Wamena, Jayawijaya Regency, on 22 December 2024

Intan Jaya Regency

Since 18 October 2024, the Indonesian military has been engaged in a counter operation against the TPNPB in the Sugapa District. While there were no reported casualties on either side during the initial clashes, the situation has escalated, leading to casualties and significant civilian displacement. and further potential human rights violations. Civilians in Titigi, Eknemba, and Ndugisiga Villages reportedly fled to the forest due to the deployment of military troops in their areas. Schools have been closed, and civilian homes and infrastructure have been damaged by gunfire. The operation have been ongoing until at least 25 October.

On 1 November 2024, an incident occurred when a 27-year-old civilian, Justinus Sani, was shot by the TNI in the village of Joparu. The shooting, allegedly carried out with a sniper rifle from a distance of 400 meters, left Sani injured.The military has also been accused of using excessive force, arbitrary arrests, torture, and extrajudicial killings. In addition, the establishment of military posts in civilian areas has disrupted the daily lives of communities and limited their freedom of movement.

Maybrat Regency

The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) facilitated the return of 64 Maybrat IDPs to the Imsun village, Papua Barat Daya Province, on 23 December 2024, after over three years of displacement following a September 2021 attack on a military post in the Aifat Selatan District. Komnas HAM urged the Maybrat Regency government to prioritize security, essential needs, and housing repairs for those who had returned. According to local news platform Jubi, about 1250 residential houses were damaged or destroyed during security force raids, while 138 persons had passed away after being displaced.

Komnas HAM emphasized the need for coordinated efforts from both, local and central governments, to provide social assistance and address the trauma experienced by the displaced community. Anis Hidayah, Coordinator of the Promotion Sub-Commission, underlined the importance of improving public services, rebuilding homes, and ensuring access to education, healthcare, and employment to enhance the long-term welfare of returning IDPs. Both officials called for thorough oversight and resource allocation to guarantee that the IDPs’ rights are protected and their living conditions steadily improved.

IDPs across West Papua, Indonesia, as of 13 December 2024

Regency	No IDPs	Displaced since	Additional info
Nduga[2]	56,981	4 Dec. 18	IDPs originate from 11 districts in Nduga; more than 615 IDPs reportedly died as of January 2022
Puncak[3]	2,724	27 Apr. 21	at least 16 IDPs have reportedly died during displacement
	> 3,000	3 Juni 24	900 households from districts Agandugume and Oneri fled their villages
Intan Jaya[4]	5,859	26 Oct. 21	at least 126 IDPs face health issues, and 11 IDPs reportedly died
Maybrat[5]	3.374	2 Sep. 21	IDPs originated from 5 districts; 138 IDPs reportedly died, and the local Govt reportedly facilitated the return of IDPs since November 2022
Pegunungan Bintang (Kiwirok District) [6]	2,252	10 Oct. 21	about 200 IDPs fled to PNG, 74 IDPs reportedly died, and dozens of IDPs suffered from sickness
Pegunungan Bintang (Serambakon District) [7]	91	18 Sep. 23	ten persons sick, two women pregnant, 47 children among the IDPs
Yahukimo (Suru-Suru District) [8]	1,971	20 Nov. 21	IDPs from 13 villages sought shelter in 15 temporary camps, 16 women gave birth without medical attention, and 13 IDPs reportedly died.
Yahukimo (Dekai District) [9]	554	21 Aug. 23	13 persons were sick; one died, and two females murdered
Fakfak (Kramongmongga District)[10]	500	16 Aug. 23	N/A
Paniai[11]	2,500	12 Apr. 24	internal displacements were reported from the districts of Paniai Timur, Agadide, Ekadide, and Bibida
Pegunungan Bintang (Oksop District) [12]	3,300	08 Dec. 24	the IDPs originate from Oketumi, Mimin, Alutbakon, Atenor, and Bumbakon villages, including 251 toddlers, 45 elderly persons, ten pregnant women, and at least six sick persons urgently requiring medical attention
Nduga (Kroptak District) [13]	2,000	7 Dec. 24	first counts mentioned 65 toddlers, eight pregnant women, five severely ill individuals, and 15 elderly persons.
T O T A L	> 85,103

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[1] The term ‘West Papua’ in this paper refers to the western half of New Guinea Island, composed of the Indonesian provinces of Papua, Papua Pegunungan, Papua Tengah, Papua Selatan, Papua Barat, and Papua Barat Daya

[2] Compiled by a group of Papuan human rights defenders that visited IDPs from Nduga in the town of Wamena and surrounding areas between 12 and 20 July 2023  

[3] Jubi (9.11.2021): SORAKPATOK: 300 tewas dan 50 ribu warga Papua mengungsi, available at: https://jubi.co.id/sorakpatok-300-tewas-dan-50-ribu-warga-papua-mengungsi/&

Jubi (12.07.2024): 500 KK dari Distrik Agandugume dan Oneri, sudah sebulan lebih mengungsi di Sinak, available at: https://jubi.id/polhukam/2024/500-kk-dari-distrik-agandugume-dan-oneri-sudah-sebulan-lebih-mengungsi-di-sinak/

[4] CNN Indonesia (30.10.2021): Ribuan Warga Papua Mengungsi Usai Pecah Kontak Senjata, available at: https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20211030195433-12-714496/ribuan-warga-papua-mengungsi-usai-pecah-kontak-senjata

[5] Figures published by the National human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) in July 2023, updated information published by Jubi (10.04.2024): 3.387 warga sipil Maybrat masih mengungsi, available at: https://jubi.id/polhukam/2024/3-387-warga-sipil-maybrat-masih-mengungsi/

[6] Compiled from multiple lists with names of IDPs, which local human rights defenders compiled in Pegunugan Bintang between April and July 2023. Church workers updated the number of deaths in July 2023

[7] The number is based on a name list compiled by human rights defenders in Serambakon shortly after the displacements occurred.

[8] The number is based on data compiled by local church workers. The information was received in February 2022

[9] The number is based on a name list that human rights defenders in Dekai compiled in September 2023

[10] Based on an estimation made by local human rights defenders in Kramongmongga in September 2023

[11] Based on information shared by local observers in Paniai on 16 April 2024

[12] Based on data collected by the GIDI Church and local informants

[13] Based on data collected by human rights defenders in Kroptak. HRM received the reports on 18.12.2024