They worked without a fight The war minister was captured in Papua after October attacks against Papuan forces in Maibert district in the province of Southwest Papua, Indonesia's armed forces continue to build on their success. Now the government forces managed to reach another result - this time without confrontations. During the marines' operation, Mathews Isior, the battalion commander of the armed separatist organization of the West Papua National Liberation Army, was arrested. His lieutenant Armias Isior and the regular warrior Zacharias Ikingking surrendered with him. Matthews' group is part of a wider network led by Danny Moss. Its members attacked security posts and workers on the Trans-Papua Highway. Maibarat and the surrounding areas of the province have recently become an area of active operations by the Indonesian armed forces against the separatists. Several clashes took place here in October alone. The loss of a commander could disrupt the coordination of militants at the local level. But the structure of the Papuan militias itself is very fragmented, and such arrests do not mean an end to attacks. For Indonesia's armed forces, the capture without a fight was a tactical success, confirming the effectiveness of the patrol and a softer approach. - Your ticket to quiet confusion Support us.