Rebel commander warns ExxonMobil against resuming operations in Aceh: Report

A rebel commander Free Aceh Free Movement (GAM) on Saturday warned American energy giant ExxonMobil to delay resuming its natural gas operations in the area, according to AFP

"GAM (the Free Aceh Movement) will keep up their strong attacks on military posts, including the posts in the ExxonMobil area," Sofyan Daud, deputy GAM commander for the Pase area of North Aceh, told AFP by phone.

ExxonMobil was forced to shut down its gas operation in Arun fields in March due to worsening security condition in Aceh, where separatist rebels have been fighting for independence for decades

On Friday, a high ranking official at state oil and gas company Pertamina said ExxonMobil would resume its gas operations in Mid-July at 50 percent capacity.

On Thursday, a spokeswoman of PT ExxonMobil Indonesia told AFP that the company was preparing to resume oil and gas production in Aceh in early July, but said the conditions were still being checked.

Pertamina had earlier threatened to force a takeover of the ExxonMobil operations in Aceh if the company continued to delay its reopening. (*)