Banda Arc Conflict
| Banda Arc Conflict | |||||||||
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| Part of the Silent War and the East Indies Crisis | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
 Soenda |
 Philippines | ||||||||
The Banda Arc Conflict was a military conflict between Soenda and the Philippines that lasted from 1979 to 1982. The conflict was caused by the Philippines support over the breakaway state of South Maluku. The conflict ended in a stalemate, with Soenda annexing Northern Borneo and several islands in the Banda Arc.
Background
South Maluku's declaration of independence
Following its independence in 1976, Soenda sought to consolidate control over the former Dutch East Indies territories, aiming to unify them under a single administration. However, certain regions, such as the islands around the Banda Arc still remained outside Soendanese control by 1978.
On February 1, 1979, the Republic of South Moluccas declared independence with Ambon as its capital. This unilateral declaration received support from Pinang and the Philippines. However, Soenda rejected the republic's claim to independence, asserting itself as the legitimate successor to all Dutch East Indies territories and viewing South Maluku as a threat to Soendanese territorial integrity.
War against South Maluku
On February 7, 1979, six days after South Maluku's declaration of independence, Soenda launched a military operation to invade the new republic. Skirmishes broke out on Soela and Ceram islands as Soendanese forces engaged South Maluku defenders. The Philippines responded to the conflict by expressing concern over Soenda's "aggressive" actions in the Celebes Sea, which they believed threatened regional peace.
By March 1979, Soendanese forces had successfully occupied the Soela Islands. On July 4, 1979, they captured Amboyna, the capital of South Maluku, forcing South Malukan forces to retreat to the smaller islands in the southwest. Meanwhile, fighting continued on Ceram and Boeroe, where some South Maluku forces remained entrenched and resisted evacuation.
Escalation
On July 6, 1979, Soendanese reports emerged alleging that the Philippines had conducted patrols and surveillance in the Banda Arc. Tensions increased on July 14, 1979, when Philippine ships intercepted Soendanese vessels delivering basic supplies to South Maluku. In response to these incidents, Soenda expelled Philippine diplomats, further straining diplomatic relations.
Meanwhile, on July 25, 1979, the San Jose ambush incident occurred in Borneo del Norte, where a Philippine military supply convoy was attacked by unidentified assailants en route to the Bornean town of San Jose, resulting in the loss of supplies. This prompted an investigation by the Philippine government. The Philippines accused Soenda of being behind the ambush, but Soenda denied their involvement.
In August 1979, the Philippines initiated undeclared military operations across the Soendanese border in Borneo, eventually leading to a large-scale guerrilla conflict on the island. The Philippine military presence in Borneo del Norte weakened by 1981, allowing Soendanese forces to gradually gain control of the province by 1982. Philippine forces retreated to Bangui Island, north of Borneo, where they maintained a defensive position. By 1982, with Philippine forces expelled from mainland Borneo, the fighting subsided and resulted in a stalemate.
Aftermath
The Banda Arc conflict resulted in uti possidetis and became a frozen conflict, having no peace deal signed. North Borneo and most of the Republic of South Maluku, except for the far southwest islands, were annexed by Soenda. South Maluku now exists as a rump state with its capital in New Amboyna on the Jamdena islands.
In the Philippines, the dictatorial government was overthrown in a popular revolution by 1983, with leaders of the old government fleeing to Papua. The new democratic Philippine government re-established ties with Soenda that same year. Despite multiple negotiation attempts between Soenda and the new Philipine governemnt, no agreement was reached, as both sides refused to drop their claim over Northern Borneo.
