Indonesia is ready to send peacekeeping forces to Syria following the demise of the Assad regime if the United Nations (UN) asks, an Indonesian politician said in a discussion on Saturday (14 December).
Civil wars have plagued Syria following a mass protest against President Bashar Al-Assad in 2011, triggered by similar demonstrations in some Middle Eastern nations called the Arab Springs. After militants toppled Assad-marking the end of his 24 years in power, the transition of power is the most anticipated.
By 2022, over 300,000 civilians had died since the conflict erupted in the country, according to data from the United Nations Human Rights.
“We asked the United Nations to raise concerns there will be no continuous war in the Middle East, damaging security and claiming lots of live,” said a politician from the Gelora Party, Henwira Halim.
Previously, President Prabowo Subianto stated during the bilateral meeting on the sideline of the G-20 summit in Brazil last November that Indonesia is ready to deploy peacekeeping forces aimed at preventing genocide in Palestine due to the Israel attack on Gaza that began on 7 October 2023.
“If there is a possibility of ceasefire and a need for peacekeeping forces under the international mandate, we are ready to prepare the troops,” the president stated, as cited from the Presidential Secretariat YouTube channel.
Israel launched an attack targeting the militant group Hamas in Gaza, killing lots of innocent civilians. As of 15 August 2024, Gaza’s Health Ministry said that 40,000 Palestinians were killed in Gaza.
Indonesia’s commitment to supporting Palestine’s independence is inevitable. As of 8 October 2024, Indonesia sent humanitarian aid to Palestine three times, worth US$4 million, according to official data.
Indonesia’s role in peacekeeping force
Indonesia is one of the significant contributors to UN peacekeeping forces. According to official data, as of August 2023, Indonesia had deployed over 2,700 peacekeeping troops to various conflict-torn nations.
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Indonesia sent its first peacekeeping mission in 1956 to Egypt during the Suez crisis—triggered by the decision of then-Egyptian President Gamal Abdul Nasser to nationalize the Suez Canal as the British and French interests controlled the canal.
Also, Indonesia is among the largest contributor to UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon). As of 2 September 2024, there were 1,231 personel deployed in numerous security posts.
UNIFIL plays a crucial role in preventing unintentional confrontation from escalating further and confirming the Israel withdrawal from Lebanon. The unit was set up in 1978 after Israel invaded Lebanon in response to cross-border attacks by Palestinian militants.
In addition to that, Indonesia has sent peacekeeping forces in missions in Central Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Indonesia actively promotes gender equality by deploying 183 female peacekeeping troops.
ASEAN’s role in global peacekeeping forces
Malaysia and Cambodia have also contributed to UN various missions. The former has sent around 1,000 troops to missions to UNIFIL and MINUSCA (Central Africa). While Cambodia has deployed around 300 personnel since 2006.
As the regional organization, ASEAN proves to be UN vital partner in peacekeeping mission. In 2018, ASEAN training centers served as the location of the UN peacekeeping training, strengthening the bloc role in peacekeeping efforts.
