Jakarta (AFP) – Radical factions of the GAM beheaded the governor of Aceh, Irwandi Yusuf, yesterday, before jointly declaring war on what they called a “weak and feeble” Indonesian government.
When asked whether their moves could trigger massive retaliation from the Indonesian government, a rebel spokesman said simply and sarcastically, “we assassinated SBY and all they did was issue a press release, the MOU is still applicable, and they are still groping with government instability.”
Yusuf is the second high-profile casualty by way of beheading after the surprise death of the Indonesian President yesterday. In other news, five simultaneous bombings rocked other parts of Aceh, two in military compounds, two in shopping centers, and one in a busy marketplace. Altogether, over 115 civilians and 55 military personnel were killed.
Indonesian expert Dr. Zachary Abuza, who specializes in terrorism, expressed concern about the situation in Indonesia in general and Aceh in particular. “What we are seeing is a complete breakdown of the Aceh autonomous state. If the situation is not quelled now, this might prove to be some kind of powder keg for the rest of the nation”, he said at a press conference after a summit at the Institute for Strategic and Defense Studies in Singapore.
The rebels declined to comment if they would expand their attacks internationally, which they have historically avoided. However, when asked if they would move into Jakarta or other main Indonesian tourist destinations like Bali, the rebel leader simply shrugged and said, “why not, their feathers don’t seem rustled just yet."
