Operation Sadar

Last updated
Operation Sadar
Part of Papua conflict
Date10 – 25 August 1965
Location
Manokwari and Sorong
Result
  • Indonesian government victory
Territorial
changes		 OPM expelled from Manokwari and Sorong
Belligerents
Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia Morning Star flag.svg Free Papua Movement
Commanders and leaders
Flag of Indonesia.svg Brig. Gen R.Kartidjo Unknown
Strength
Hundred troops
Supported by several aircraft		 Thousands
Casualties and losses
Several Injured 36 Killed
Many villages burned

Operation Sadar (Indonesian: Operasi Sadar) was a military campaign conducted by the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) in Papua, aimed at targeting villages suspected of supporting the Free Papua Movement. The operation was also a direct response to the 1965 Arfai incident, which had heightened tensions in the region. During the campaign, TNI forces launched numerous attacks on these villages, resulting in the destruction of several communities and widespread displacement of the local population.

Contents

Background

In 1965, Indonesian forces in Manokwari were engaged in a significant skirmish during the 1965 Arfai Incident outpost. Despite the intensity of the attack, the Indonesian military successfully repelled the rebel attacks, ultimately forcing their commander, Ferry Awom, to surrender. [1]

In response to this attack, the Indonesian military launched "Operation Sadar," a campaign aimed at crushing the OPM guerrilla movement in the Manokwari and Sorong regions. The operation combined intelligence and territorial operations to provide strategic support for the combat missions conducted across Papua. These efforts included targeted military actions and broader measures to weaken the OPM's influence, marking a critical escalation in the government's efforts to maintain control over the region. [2]

Operations

On August 10, Indonesian forces launched a devastating campaign in Manokwari, targeting villages suspected of supporting the OPM rebellion. Entire villages were set ablaze including several OPM headquarters, leaving many civilians displaced. In a particularly destructive move, aerial attacks were carried out against church buildings in the area, resulting in heavy damage and significant civilian casualties. [3]

On August 20, Indonesian forces launched a major offensive in Sorong, targeting OPM companies that were planning a raid on an Indonesian military outpost. During the engagement, the Indonesian military conducted aerial strikes to disrupt and neutralize the OPM forces. The operation was deemed a success, resulting in the death of 36 OPM fighters, while the remaining rebels were forced to retreat, many of them suffering severe injuries. The attack further weakened the OPM's presence in the region, consolidating the Indonesian military’s control over Sorong. [4]

Following the major attacks in Sorong, the Indonesian military intensified its efforts through intelligence operations to gather critical information about the OPM’s plans, strategies, and organizational structure. These intelligence activities aimed to preempt future attacks by uncovering rebel networks and disrupting their operations. [4]

In next days, territorial operations were launched to capture OPM-controlled areas and reclaim regions under their influence. These operations focused on liberating villages and strategic locations from OPM control, further solidifying the Indonesian government’s authority in Papua. The combination of intelligence and territorial strategies allowed the military to systematically weaken the OPM’s presence. [5]

Aftermath

These operations successfully targeted numerous OPM headquarters and carried out extensive aerial strikes to drive the OPM forces out of their territories. Alongside these attacks, the operations gathered vital intelligence on OPM's planned assaults and strategies, significantly disrupting their activities. Additionally, the Indonesian military reclaimed many territories previously controlled by the OPM, further consolidating their hold on the region. [5]

This phase of the campaign transitioned into Operation Bharatayudha, a more aggressive and large-scale military offensive. The new operation aimed to launch frontal assaults on OPM strongholds, focusing on eliminating the rebel presence in the western regions of Papua. This marked a decisive shift in strategy, with the Indonesian forces striving to crush the OPM's resistance and bring the area fully under government control. [6]

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References

  1. ↑ "1965: 'Kekerasan Brutal' Perdana Militer Indonesia di Papua". tirto.id (in Indonesian). 1 December 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  2. ↑ Amiruddin 2017, p. 8.
  3. ↑ John 2019, p. 13.
  4. 1 2 Amiruddin 2017, pp. 8–9.
  5. 1 2 Amiruddin 2017, p. 9.
  6. ↑ Jopari 1995, p. 115.

Citations

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