Operation Tinombala

Operation Madago Raya (), previously known as Operation Tinombala, is a joint police–military operation conducted by the Indonesian National Police and the Indonesian Armed Forces to capture and/or eliminate members of Mujahidin Indonesia Timur (MIT), an Indonesian terrorist group which supports ISIL and was commanded by Santoso. In 2016, the Indonesian military and police succeeded in killing Santoso, but the then Chief of the National Police Tito Karnavian continued the operation to ensure the region's safety from the remaining members of the group. Central Sulawesi governor Longki Djanggola praised the operation for its relatively humane methods, since several leaders of the group were successfully captured alive. Only 19 militants were, however, captured alive, while more than 40 were killed.

As of October 2022, the operation extended until December 2022, and the operation is currently undergoing phasing out phase. Starting from January 2023, the operation's objective changed to restoring civil order and rehabilitating society from the damage caused by the group and its operation.

Background

The operation was commenced by the Indonesian government to eradicate the MIT and prevent them from spreading terror to Indonesian and foreign citizens in Central Sulawesi. The operation, a continuation of both Operation Camar Maleo I & II, began in early March 2016 and is still ongoing. In 2014, MIT pledged their allegiance to ISIL and became a terrorist group. Their main figurehead was Santoso, though after his death and the arrests of other leaders, the remaining eleven members hid in the jungles surrounding Poso, Central Sulawesi. On 17 February 2021, the operation was renamed to Operation Madago Raya.

Timeline

On 18 July 2016, Indonesian forces shot and killed MIT leader Santoso on Operation Alpha 29.

On 14 September 2016, Andika Eka Putra, one of the remaining members of the MIT, was killed.

On 19 September 2016, Sobron was killed by Operation Tinombala's Task Force.

On 16 May 2017, two MIT militants were killed in a gunfight with Indonesian forces in Poso. One Indonesian soldier was wounded.

On 3 August 2017, a farmer was killed after he was attacked by a terrorist in Parigi Moutong Regency.

On October 27 2020, Indonesian officials admitted that Indonesia had deported four Uighurs who were arrested in 2015, because they were suspected of joining the MIT, the deportation was carried out in September 2020 after the Chinese government was willing to pay the detainees fines.

On 1 March 2021, a gunfight occurred between the Indonesian Army and East Indonesia Mujahideen in the Andole Mountain area, Poso Regency, Central Sulawesi. As a result, two militants and one soldier died.

On 11 July 2021, a gunfight occurred between the Indonesian Army and East Indonesia Mujahideen in the Batu Mountain area, Parigi Moutong Regency. As a result, two militants died.

On 17 July 2021, a gunfight occurred between the Indonesian Army and East Indonesia Mujahideen, Parigi Moutong Regency. As a result, one militants died.

On 18 September 2021, a gunfight occurred between the Indonesian Army and East Indonesia Mujahideen in Torue District, Parigi Moutong Regency. As a result, two militants died including Ali Kalora, leader of the East Indonesia Mujahideen.

On 29 September 2022, a gunfight occurred between Detachment 88 and East Indonesia Mujahideen's last member in Kilo, Poso, Central Sulawesi. As a result last member of the militant group died. Even though the last member of East Indonesia Mujahideen have been killed, Operation Madago Raya still continued, Kombes Didik Supranoto said that the operation still continued in order to keep the community safe and to avoid the formation of a similar terrorist organization again.

Casualties

As of May 19, 2022, the number of militants killed during the operation was of 49. Forty-one of those killed were East Indonesia Mujahideen members, while six were members of the Turkistan Islamic Party and the rest coming from other parts of Indonesia. At least 19 more were arrested.

References

{{Post-Cold War Asian conflicts

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Madago Raya
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Madago Raya