Ambon, 02.00 WIT, 2 Januari 2000

AGGRESSION OF THE MILITIA

From Ambon it can be reported that fighting still is taking place in the
Ponegoro area.

Meanwhile, Masohi, the capital city of the (much larger) Ceram island, has
already fallen into the hands of the Moslem masses, causing several
villages around it to panic and start fleeing to the mountains. In Masohi
it was reported that a group of 12 "jihad" militia has been sighted. Three
churches have been burned to the ground, namely one Pentecostal and two
Maluku Protestant churches in the heart of Masohi and in Letwaru.

A big group of people had left Ceram island on a "Landen" ferry boat (owned
by a person named John Pattisahusiwa) to attack nearby Saparua island, but
they were chased away by naval ships guarding the waters around Saparua and
Haruku islands.

As far as this aggression from militant groups are concerned, some time ago
it was learned that as many as 2,600 jihad militants had been trained on
Banda island to be sent out to Ambon and other areas of Maluku. Since the
riots hit Banda island several months ago, there no more churches nor
christians on that island.

Back in Ambon, a tragic incident took place in Urimeseng area involving a 2
year old child who was shot in one eye two days ago.

Since the Pohon Pule area has been under control of the Moslems and as a
result of the many snipers in high rise buildings, the main high way that
christians have been using in taking victims to the public hospital cannot
be used any more. An alternative road would be [deleted for security reasons].

Also it has been reported that among the ruins of Hulaliu village evidence
had been discovered that the attackers had been using AK-47, 9.7 calibre
bullets, and SMR rifles. The capsules as well as some boxes of ammunition had been found.

Until now the SAGU team has not been able to cover all the incidents that
happened on Ceram, Buru and other islands of Halmahera, due to financial
and manpower constraints. Also, a cameraman was shot when taking pictures
of the Silo church burning, and he is still recovering (in hospital).

YAYASAN SAGU (SAGU FOUNDATION)
Solidaritas Anak Negeri Maluku