Indonesian-administered Bintang Mountains regency

West Papuans Flee Into PNG

The conflict is in the Indonesian-administered Bintang Mountains regency, where state forces are pursuing West Papua Liberation Army fighters who they blame for recent attacks on health workers.

Hundreds of people have fled across to Tumolbil in Yapsie sub-district of West Sepik, situated right on the border.

With this situation at hand, the PNG Defense Force will despatch a small unit of soldiers to the remote border area.

PNG's Defence Force Commander, Gilbert Toropo, said that 11 soldiers would go to assess the situation in Tumolbil.