Violent clashes erupted in Indonesia's Papua region on Monday, April 27, 2026, when hundreds of protesters demanded the withdrawal of military personnel. Approximately 800 students and civilians rallied in Jayapura, the provincial capital, in response to a recent military operation that allegedly resulted in 15 deaths, including women and children. The protest follows a period of armed conflict against separatists who have sought independence for the resource-rich region since 1969. Police deployed tear gas and a water cannon to disperse rock-throwing demonstrators, with five officers sustaining injuries. Despite the initial confrontation, the protests continued peacefully, with regional lawmakers engaging with the demonstrators.