Today, at a solemn ceremony in Beirut, UNIFIL paid tribute to the life and work of Major Zulmi Aditya Iskandar, First Sergeant Muhammad Nur Ichwan, and Corporal Farizal Rhomadon from Indonesia, who lost their lives in two incidents on March 29 and 30 while bravely carrying out their duties.
The ceremony, held at Rafik Hariri International Airport, was attended by UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Diodato Abagnara, along with UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon Imran Riza; Brig. Gen. Eng. Firas Tarchichi, representing the Lebanese Minister of National Defence and the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces; Indonesian Ambassador to Lebanon Mr. Dicky Komar; and representatives of UNIFIL’s Indonesian Contingent.
The three peacekeepers were posthumously awarded UN and LAF medals in recognition of their dedicated service to UNIFIL’s mission in south Lebanon.
During the ceremony, Major General Abagnara, on behalf of the entire UNIFIL community, presented his heartfelt condolences to their families, to their loved ones, and to the Indonesian Armed Forces. Major General Abagnara praised the service of the three fallen peacekeepers. “They came here far from home, with one purpose—to serve peace,” he said. “They did it with courage. They did it with honor. They did it until the very end.”
To the families of the peacekeepers General Abagnara said: “No words can take away your pain. But please know this, they are not forgotten. They will remain part of this mission, part of all of us.”
Corporal Farizal Rhomadhon, 28, was tragically killed on Sunday, 29 March 2026, when a projectile exploded in a UNIFIL position near Adchit Al Qusayr. Another peacekeeper was critically injured.
In another tragic incident, Major Zulmi Aditya Iskandar, 33, and First Sergeant Muhammad Nur Ichwan, 26, were killed on Monday, 30 March 2026, when a roadside explosion destroyed their vehicle near Bani Hayyan. A third peacekeeper was severely injured, and a fourth was also hurt.
These incidents are under investigation.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the events that took the lives of the three peacekeepers, strongly urging all actors to uphold their obligations under international law and to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property at all times. The Secretary-General extended his deepest appreciation to all the courageous men and women serving with UNIFIL.
The members of the Security Council, in a statement issued yesterday, also expressed their condemnation, and extended their deepest condolences and sympathy to their families, as well as to Indonesia. The members also reaffirmed their full support for UNIFIL and urged all parties to take all measures to respect the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel and premises as well as the freedom of movement of the mission.
UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Diodato Abagnara speech
