Free Papua Movement

Phillip Mark Mehrtens, a 38-year-old pilot from New Zealand, was abducted by rebels from a remote airport in February 2023.

The report came as a separatist group said it was willing to release another pilot from New Zealand who was abducted in February 2023.

The gunmen then released the Indigenous Papuan passengers and set fire to the plane.

As the hostage-taking of New Zealand pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens enters its sixth consecutive month, his whereabouts in eastern Indonesia remain unknown.

The attack came as a unit of soldiers attempted to search for a New Zealand pilot captured by Papuan separatists in February.

In addition to one confirmed death, nine soldiers have reportedly been taken hostage by separatist rebels.

A plan to create three new provinces in the Papua region highlights how Jakarta's development approach has failed to resolve a long-running conflict.

With a more violent armed separatist organization being active, and Jakarta’s reticence to win hearts and minds, the avenues for reconciliation are decreasing.

The attack, which claimed the lives of four soldiers, was the deadliest to have taken place in the region this year.

The reports follows Indonesian government promises of a crackdown on separatist fighters in the eastern region.

Victor Yeimo stands accused of organizing the wave of violent pro-independence protests that hit the region in August 2019.

The uneasy region seems set for another cycle of military crackdowns and separatist counter-attacks.