JAKARTA — Rebels in Indonesia’s Papua region claimed on Thursday (April 10) that they have killed more than 17 individuals since the weekend, asserting the victims were soldiers disguised as gold miners. Authorities also reported that two people are being held hostage by the insurgents. The region has been the site of a long-standing but increasingly violent independence struggle between government forces and local rebels. The conflict has persisted since Papua was brought under Indonesian control in a UN-supervised vote in 1969, a process widely considered controversial.

Sebby Sambom, spokesperson for the Papuan rebels, stated on Thursday that over 17 people have been killed since April 6, including five on Wednesday, all of whom he claimed were military personnel posing as miners. He challenged government forces to confront them directly in Dekai town, located in Yahukimo district, where the violence occurred.

Faizal Ramadhani, head of the Papua peace task force, confirmed the attack to Reuters but said the official death toll is still being verified as police continue to reach the remote area. Indonesia’s military has denied that any of the victims were their personnel, calling the rebel claims false, according to the state news agency Antara.

In a separate update, police reported that 35 residents from the conflict zone have been relocated to a neighboring district, while two civilians are reportedly still held captive by the rebels. In recent years, Papuan rebels have gained access to more sophisticated weapons through raids on military facilities and purchases from the black market. They have also carried out abductions of foreigners, including a New Zealand pilot who was released last year after 19 months in captivity.

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