Since December 2018, the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the police have launched an operation to pursue an armed group led by Egianus Kogeya. The TNI has deployed two units made up of around 300 soldiers to secure the Nduga region.

The drawn-out operation has impacted local civilians. Trapped in a conflict between the military and the rebel group, some Nduga residents have evacuated to the neighboring regency while others remain plagued with