Indonesia vows to uproot Aceh rebels

There is concern that dark days will return to Aceh

The head of the Indonesian army says a major offensive launched on Monday aims to destroy separatist rebels in Aceh province within six months.

General Endriartono Sutarto has gone to the Acehnese capital of Banda Aceh to oversee the operations that began with fighter jets firing rockets at suspected positions of the Free Aceh Movement (Gam).

More than 1,000 troops were parachuted into the province on Monday for the offensive that was to involve aerial as well as naval units.

The Indonesian army has reported its first death, but are were no reports of rebel casualties - and no sign of rebel resistance.

ACEH PROVINCE

Located on the northern tip of Sumatra island

Population of 4.3m people

Rich fuel resources, including oil and natural gas

Home to conservative Islam - last year, Sharia law was introduced

Gam rebels are fighting for an independent state

Indonesia's flashpoints

The offensive began after President Megawati Sukarnoputri imposed martial law in Aceh following the collapse of last-minute peace talks in Tokyo.

The talks were aimed at salvaging a peace deal - signed last December - that allowed the rebels limited autonomy.

Jakarta blamed Gam for continuing to demand independence.

But mediators of the Swiss-based Henry Dunant Centre told BBC News Online that the Indonesian Government may have played its part in the breakdown by imposing extra conditions on the rebels.

Frequent clashes between separatists and the Indonesian army over the last 26 years have left at least 10,000 people dead.

The BBC's Tim Johnston in Aceh, says it is feared that the new conflict will signal a return to the darkest days in the province.

Minimal strength

The military offensive began almost immediately after the imposition of martial law on Sunday.

Fighter jets fired rockets at Gam rebels based about 20 kilometres (12 miles) east Banda Aceh, as nearly 500 troops parachuted into an airport outside Banda Aceh.

More arrived by sea - as did 15 warships that moved in close to the northern town of Lhokseumawe, where many of the rebels are based.

Aceh offensive in pictures

General Sutarto said soldiers would initially try to eliminate key rebel sites, with a view to reducing Gam to its "smallest unit" within six months.

"Their job is to destroy the armed forces of Gam through to their roots," he said.

Our correspondent says the Indonesian army has a difficult fight ahead.

It has promised to avoid fighting in built-up areas and respect human rights - and the first operations were held in the full view of the media.

But many Acehnese fear the return of a new period of terror, our correspondent says.

The rebels say the government has been looking for an excuse to declare war

Villagers near the garrison town of Lhokseumawe said troops had surrounded the house of a farmer before dawn on Monday, four hours after the president declared martial law.

The villagers said the man had been shot before being taken away. They have been unable to find out if he is still alive.

Standing firm

Rebel forces are estimated at 3,000-5,000 fighters.

Rebel leader Mahmood Malik said he believed the Indonesian Government had had no intention of compromising at the weekend talks - it was "looking for a way to declare war".

"We will oppose the onslaught. We will fight for independence," he warned.

The mainly-Muslim province enjoyed a long period as an independent sultanate before it was incorporated into the Republic of Indonesia in 1949.

Resentment against Jakarta's rule has been fuelled by perceived abuses by the Indonesian military, and a feeling that the government has not shared the proceeds from the province's rich oil and natural gas resources with the local population.

Indonesia also faces demands for independence among several provinces, where separatists have been encouraged by East Timor's 1999 success in breaking away after 25 years of occupation.

President Megawati is a strong proponent of a united Indonesia, and she has made action against separatist guerrillas in Aceh a priority.