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Indonesia in control of Aceh province: Military chief
Lhokseumawe (Indonesia), July 02: Indonesian troops now control `100 per cent` of Aceh province six weeks into an offensive to crush a long-running separatist rebellion, but cannot guarantee an end to smaller clashes, the military chief was quoted as saying today.
Lhokseumawe (Indonesia), July 02: Indonesian troops now control "100 per cent" of Aceh province six weeks into an offensive to crush a long-running separatist rebellion, but cannot guarantee an end to smaller clashes, the military chief was quoted as saying today.
Also today, authorities said two Indonesian journalists were missing only days after the government imposed tight restrictions on reporters working in the province.
Military chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said the rebels, believed to number around 5,000 fighters, were now on the run, according to the state news agency report. "We are in control of 100 per cent of the area," he told reporters in the central Javanese town of Magelang. But he said the military could not guarantee against further small-scale clashes between troops and insurgents.
Rebel spokesman were not immediately available for comment. The insurgents previously have said they plan to withdraw to the province's jungles and mountains and fight a guerrilla campaign. The military's latest offensive began on May 19. About 350 people have been killed so far and around 600 suspected rebels have surrendered.
The missing journalists, a reporter and a cameraman, work for Indonesia's RCTI station. Along with their driver, the men have not been seen since Sunday, military spokesman Col Ditya Sudarsono said.
Bureau Report
Military chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said the rebels, believed to number around 5,000 fighters, were now on the run, according to the state news agency report. "We are in control of 100 per cent of the area," he told reporters in the central Javanese town of Magelang. But he said the military could not guarantee against further small-scale clashes between troops and insurgents.
Rebel spokesman were not immediately available for comment. The insurgents previously have said they plan to withdraw to the province's jungles and mountains and fight a guerrilla campaign. The military's latest offensive began on May 19. About 350 people have been killed so far and around 600 suspected rebels have surrendered.
The missing journalists, a reporter and a cameraman, work for Indonesia's RCTI station. Along with their driver, the men have not been seen since Sunday, military spokesman Col Ditya Sudarsono said.
Bureau Report