Jubilee Campaign USA, August 8, 2002
New Attacks in Tobelo North Maluku
Pray for Christians under attack in the Province of Northern Maluku, Capitol of Tobelo,
August 7, 2002. This is a separate province from Ambon, Maluku where the orphan
project is administrated, but in the vacinity.
A ceremony to transfer power from the Brawijaya military unit to the Marines this
morning at 9.30 am was cancelled mid-ceremony due to news of fresh attacks by
jihad warriors against two villages currently taking place nearby. After several days of
small-scale attacks since last Saturday, August 5, this morning there was an
escalation in the terrorist attacks against the Christian community. On Saturday
evening (4th) between the villages of Luari and Ruko, the Loba area was rocked by the
explosion of bombs.
On Sunday morning (5th) in the village of Mede, the church building of the Evangelical
Church of Halmahera, the manse and several homes of Christians who are currently
seeking refuge in Tobelo were destroyed. The destruction took place near the
Brawijaya military post.
Also on Sunday, in the village of Wari, Mr. Andi Juedi, a resident of Wari, was walking
behind the village when he spotted three men wearing ninja outfits and wearing
masks. Two were wearing military-style camofluage and one was wearing civilian-style
clothing. Mr. Juedi hid until it was safe to flee and report to the Head of the village and
the military command post (Koramil). The three "ninjas" were chased but were able to
evade capture.
Today, Wednesday, at 6.30 am (Aug. 7) 220 Marines arrived in Galela to replace the
Brawijaya troops who are being transferred to the island of Morotai. While the transfer
of power ceremony was underway at 9.30 am news arrived of attacks underway in the
villages of Wari and Gorua. The attacks had begun at 9.00 am. The ceremony was
immediately cancelled and the troops were deployed to repel the attacks.
Jihad forces from the village of Gorua, fully equipped with military standard weapons,
began their attack at 9.00 am attacking the village of Wari, even though there were
Brawijaya troops stationed there. The Center for Community Research, Training and
Development (PPLPP) run by the Evangelical Church of Halmahera was burned down.
Three offices and the Technical College were burned with all the students
documentation and office equipment and computers.
Across the road from the PPLPP complex three refugee barracks, for refugees from
the village of Weda and 14 homes of Christians were also burned. At the same time in
the village of Gorua 4 homes and 2 kiosks belonging to Christians were also burned.
In the course of the attack school children were taken hostage but were later freed by
the military. One Christian was shot and is currently being treated in the Bethesda
Hospital in Tobelo. After the gun battle had been going on for about 30 minutes, the
jihad forces were repelled and pushed back to the village of Popilo. The defensive
operation was still in progress when this report was filed.
This message and information dated August 7, 2002 came from:
jeffhammond@bigpond.com
Ann Buwalda
Jubilee Campaign USA
email: jubilee@jubileecampaign.org
voice: 703-503-0791
web: http://www.jubileecampaign.org
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