Papua separatists kill American pilot in ‘message’ to US and Indonesia
Summary
Separatist fighters in Papua, Indonesia, killed an American pilot named Nicholas F Gosselin and set his plane on fire. The attack was described as a message to the governments of the US and Indonesia amid ongoing conflict in the region.Key Facts
- The pilot was American and was flying a civilian plane that brought passengers to Yahukimo in Highland Papua.
- The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) claimed responsibility and said the plane violated their ultimatum.
- The separatists said the attack was a warning to the US and Indonesia for not addressing conflict causes.
- Indonesian authorities confirmed the burned plane and that all passengers were Papuan but did not confirm the attack specifics.
- Papua has a long-running, low-level conflict between Indonesian forces and independence fighters.
- The region was incorporated into Indonesia following a controversial 1969 vote known as the “Act of Free Choice.”
- Separatists use the Morning Star flag as a symbol of independence.
- In 2023, Papuan rebels kidnapped and later released a New Zealand pilot in a similar incident.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.