Operation Toucan (East Timor)
Operation Toucan was a military operation conducted by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in East Timor (Timor-Leste) following the August 1999 referendum on independence from Indonesia. The operation, which commenced on 20 September 1999, was a significant component of the broader international intervention, INTERFET (International Force in East Timor), aimed at restoring peace and security after widespread violence perpetrated by pro-Indonesian militias.
Operation Toucan's primary objective was to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to the East Timorese population. This involved the deployment of Australian troops to various locations across the territory to disarm militias, protect civilians, and establish secure zones. Australian forces undertook tasks such as:
- Security patrols: Protecting vulnerable communities from militia attacks.
- Humanitarian aid delivery: Distributing essential supplies like food, water, and medical aid.
- Infrastructure protection: Safeguarding key infrastructure from damage or destruction.
- Disarmament and demobilisation: Assisting in the process of disarming pro-Indonesian militias.
- Evacuation and relocation: Assisting in the evacuation and relocation of displaced persons to safer areas.
Operation Toucan, while focusing on humanitarian aid, also involved direct engagement with pro-Indonesian militia groups. This engagement ranged from peacekeeping efforts to defensive actions when necessary to protect civilians. The operation marked a significant contribution by Australia to the international effort in East Timor, playing a crucial role in stabilizing the situation and enabling the eventual establishment of an independent East Timorese state. The operation concluded with the transition to a United Nations peacekeeping mission. The specific timeline of the end of Operation Toucan is not consistently reported across sources, however it's understood to have transitioned into other ADF operations within East Timor as the situation evolved.