Indonesian troops begin leaving war-torn Aceh

Indonesia started withdrawing soldiers from war-torn Aceh province today as part of an agreement reached last week to end almost three decades of separatist fighting.

More than 1,250 troops stationed near Lhokseumawe, the second largest city in Aceh, left port on navy vessels – the first of more than 22,000 soldiers who will pull out of the oil and gas-rich province by the year’s end, said an army spokesman.

Thousands of police and marines – some of whom left last week – will also return to bases elsewhere in Indonesia.

Government negotiators and separatist rebels reached an agreement on August 15 to end the 29-year war that has killed nearly 15,000 people.

Though several earlier accords have collapsed, it is seen as the best chance in years to bring a permanent end to the fighting.

The two sides, who returned to the negotiating table after the December 26 tsunami, said they did not want to contribute to people’s suffering and each made major concessions during six months of negotiations.

The rebels agreed to disarm and gave up their long-held demand for independence, and the government offered the separatists amnesty and the right to political representation.

Indonesia also agreed to withdraw thousands of troops from the province on Sumatra island’s northern tip, though more than 23,000 are expected to remain.

As they pulled out of port today, some soldiers expressed confidence that Free Aceh Movement rebels, also known by their Indonesian acronym GAM, would honour the peace agreement.