DILI, East Timor — On Saturday, East Timor’s military shot and killed a civilian believed to have aided rebel attacks on the President and Prime Minister in February. The military plans to launch a 10 day operation this week in pursuit of rebels that remain in hiding.

On February 11, rebel ex-soldiers seriously wounded President Jose Ramos-Horta in an assassination attempt outside his home. That same morning, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao escaped a similar attack unharmed.

In response, Brigadier-General Taur Matan Ruak has assembled a 2,000 strong military and police force that will begin door-to-door searches for rebels on Wednesday. Ruak has warned that civilians involved in hiding or providing food and aid to rebels will also be prosecuted. “At first we didn’t want to use gunfire in the operation, but some people are not cooperating with us and are still hiding,” said Ruak. The operation will last 10 days or until the rebels surrender.

On Saturday, the civilian was shot in Meliana, a district west of the capital, Dili, after attacking a soldier with a machete. Two rebels surrendered to the military that same day.

The recent violence stems from a 2006 incident where 600 military members were fired for protesting alleged discrimination. In the bitter dispute, the army divided into factions, causing 37 deaths and forcing 150,000 from their homes. 

For more information, please see:

Reuters: India — East Timor army kills rebel supporter in operation — 06 April 2008

Reuters: UK — East Timor to use force against rebels – army — 04 April 2008