Exxon Mobil Corp on Monday settled a long-running human rights lawsuit with Indonesian villagers who accused Indonesian soldiers hired as guards by the Houston-based oil and gas company of committing murder and torture.

The Exxon case was set for a jury trial in Washington starting May 24 but that no more remains the case.

<h2>Exxon Mobil Corp Vs. Indonesian villagers: The resolution</h2>

According to a federal court filing in Washington DC, the two sides&nbsp;have resolved the contentious case which first came to the fore in 2001.&nbsp;

Agnieszka Fryszman, a lawyer for the Indonesian villagers at law firm Cohen Milstein Sellers &amp; Toll, told Reuters that the terms for resolution are confidential.

A spokesperson for Exxon Mobil further told Reuters that the settlement "brings closure for all parties."

The lawsuit led to the abrupt 2021 resignation of Alex Oh as the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s enforcement director, after a U.S. judge raised concerns about Oh’s conduct while representing Exxon at law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton &amp; Garrison.

<h2>What was the case about?</h2>

The case accused the company of negligence in contracting with Indonesian soldiers to guard its operations in the country’s Aceh territory during a period of violence and unrest.

The lawsuit also sought to hold Exxon accountable for alleged atrocities committed by the soldiers.&nbsp; 
 
The villagers at the centre of the two-decade long legal battle over alleged human rights abuses&nbsp;say they were subjected to torture, sexual assault, and beatings by Indonesian soldiers contracted by ExxonMobil.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/exxonmobil-ceo-gets-massive-pay-hike-after-highest-ever-profits-582542">ExxonMobil CEO gets massive pay hike after highest ever profits</a>

The alleged abuses took place at a time when the Indonesian military had deployed thousands of troops in the province to crush a long-running rebellion by pro-independence fighters. A peace agreement came only after the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 killed at least 170,000 people in Aceh, on the northern tip of Sumatra island.

Fryszman said the plaintiffs, 11 villagers, who were not named in court filings, broke down in tears at news of the settlement.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;WION Climate Tracker: ExxonMobil sowed doubt about climate change?

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"They have been fighting this case for 20 years against one of the world’s most powerful corporations,” Fryszman was quoted as saying by Reuters.

Exxon argued in court filings that there were insufficient links between the company and wrongdoing committed by Indonesian soldiers. This argument was rejected by the US District Judge Royce Lamberth.

Lamberth last year ordered Exxon to pay about $289,000 in sanctions after finding that Oh, while a partner at Paul Weiss, improperly accused opposing counsel of acting "unhinged" during a deposition.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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Exxon Mobil Corp on Monday settled a long-running human rights lawsuit with Indonesian villagers who accused Indonesian soldiers hired as guards by the Houston-based oil and gas company of committing murder and torture.

Exxon Mobil Corp on Monday settled a long-running human rights lawsuit with Indonesian villagers who accused Indonesian soldiers hired as guards by the Houston-based oil and gas company of committing murder and torture. The Exxon case was set for a jury trial in Washington starting May 24 but that no more remains the case. Exxon Mobil Corp Vs. Indonesian villagers: The resolution According to a federal court filing in Washington DC, the two sides have resolved the contentious case which first came to the fore in 2001. Agnieszka Fryszman, a lawyer for the Indonesian villagers at law firm Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll, told Reuters that the terms for resolution are confidential. A spokesperson for Exxon Mobil further told Reuters that the settlement "brings closure for all parties." The lawsuit led to the abrupt 2021 resignation of Alex Oh as the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s enforcement director, after a U.S. judge raised concerns about Oh’s conduct while representing Exxon at law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. What was the case about? The case accused the company of negligence in contracting with Indonesian soldiers to guard its operations in the country’s Aceh territory during a period of violence and unrest. The lawsuit also sought to hold Exxon accountable for alleged atrocities committed by the soldiers. The villagers at the centre of the two-decade long legal battle over alleged human rights abuses say they were subjected to torture, sexual assault, and beatings by Indonesian soldiers contracted by ExxonMobil. ALSO READ | ExxonMobil CEO gets massive pay hike after highest ever profits The alleged abuses took place at a time when the Indonesian military had deployed thousands of troops in the province to crush a long-running rebellion by pro-independence fighters. A peace agreement came only after the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 killed at least 170,000 people in Aceh, on the northern tip of Sumatra island. Fryszman said the plaintiffs, 11 villagers, who were not named in court filings, broke down in tears at news of the settlement. ALSO WATCH | WION Climate Tracker: ExxonMobil sowed doubt about climate change? × "They have been fighting this case for 20 years against one of the world’s most powerful corporations,” Fryszman was quoted as saying by Reuters. Exxon argued in court filings that there were insufficient links between the company and wrongdoing committed by Indonesian soldiers. This argument was rejected by the US District Judge Royce Lamberth. Lamberth last year ordered Exxon to pay about $289,000 in sanctions after finding that Oh, while a partner at Paul Weiss, improperly accused opposing counsel of acting "unhinged" during a deposition. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US oil major ExxonMobil resolves torture case of Indonesian villagers, keeps terms confidential

A married woman in Indonesia was flogged 100 times after she confessed to adultery in the conservative Aceh province of the country. On the other hand, her male partner received just 15 lashes after he denied the accusations.&nbsp;

As per an AFP reporter, the incident happened on Thursday and the flogging was paused for a brief moment because she couldn't bear the pain.&nbsp;

The head of general investigation division at East Aceh prosecutors office Ivan Najjar Alavi said the court handed down a sentence for the married woman, who has not been named. The sentence was issued after she confessed that she had sex out of her marriage.&nbsp;

While talking about why the man was flogged for a lesser number of times than the woman, Alavi said that the judges found it difficult to convict the man after because he denied all wrongdoings.&nbsp;

"During the trial, he admitted nothing, denying all accusations. Thus, [judges] are not able to prove whether he is guilty," Alavi told reporters after a public flogging for Sharia law offenders in East Aceh on Thursday.

Aceh follows religious law as part of a 2005 autonomy deal agreed with the central government that ended a decades-long separatist insurgency.

Aceh is the only region in Muslim-majority Indonesia to impose Islamic law, which allows whipping for charges including gambling, adultery, drinking alcohol, and gay sex.

The incident was watched by dozens who recorded a video and posted it on social media forums.&nbsp;

After the video went viral, public flogging has been criticised by human rights groups that slammed public caning as cruel, and Indonesia's President Joko Widodo has called for it to end.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A married woman in Indonesia was flogged 100 times after she confessed to adultery in the conservative Aceh province of the country. On the other hand, her male partner received just 15 lashes after he denied the accusations.

A married woman in Indonesia was flogged 100 times after she confessed to adultery in the conservative Aceh province of the country. On the other hand, her male partner received just 15 lashes after he denied the accusations. As per an AFP reporter, the incident happened on Thursday and the flogging was paused for a brief moment because she couldn't bear the pain. The head of general investigation division at East Aceh prosecutors office Ivan Najjar Alavi said the court handed down a sentence for the married woman, who has not been named. The sentence was issued after she confessed that she had sex out of her marriage. While talking about why the man was flogged for a lesser number of times than the woman, Alavi said that the judges found it difficult to convict the man after because he denied all wrongdoings. "During the trial, he admitted nothing, denying all accusations. Thus, [judges] are not able to prove whether he is guilty," Alavi told reporters after a public flogging for Sharia law offenders in East Aceh on Thursday. Aceh follows religious law as part of a 2005 autonomy deal agreed with the central government that ended a decades-long separatist insurgency. Aceh is the only region in Muslim-majority Indonesia to impose Islamic law, which allows whipping for charges including gambling, adultery, drinking alcohol, and gay sex. The incident was watched by dozens who recorded a video and posted it on social media forums. After the video went viral, public flogging has been criticised by human rights groups that slammed public caning as cruel, and Indonesia's President Joko Widodo has called for it to end. (With inputs from agencies)

Married woman in Indonesia flogged 100 times for adultery while partner gets 15 lashes

India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Indonesia's foreign minister Retno Marsudi on Wednesday in the new year conversation discussed a range of issues including the Aceh and Andaman Nicobar island connectivity. During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2018 visit to Indonesia, among several agreements, both sides decided to cooperate in connectivity between Andaman and Nicobar island and Aceh province of Indonesia.&nbsp;

Sabang port in Aceh is around 90 nautical miles from the Indian islands of Andaman and Nicobar. During the 2018 visit, it was also decided to set up a joint task force to undertake projects for port-related infrastructure in and around Sabang by both the neighbouring countries. Important to note, Sabang sits at the entrance of the Strait of Malacca, which is considered to be a key global choke point.&nbsp;

Being one of the most important shipping lanes, any stoppage of traffic here can impact countries like China, whose major chunk of energy and trade passes via the strait.

During the conversation, both sides also discussed the Covid crisis, the situation in Myanmar and Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Indonesia, as an ASEAN member has been concerned about the developments in Myanmar, just like New Delhi.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/this-indian-airport-featured-in-top-10-global-list-for-on-time-performance-442679">Also read |&nbsp;This Indian airport featured in top 10 global list for on-time performance</a>

Myanmar saw a coup in February of last year with several political leaders being detained. There were also reports of large-scale violence happening in the country.&nbsp;

In Afghanistan, like India, Indonesia has been a key stakeholder. In fact, the Indonesian foreign minister was the only women foreign minister during last month's Organization of Islamic cooperation foreign ministers meeting in Islamabad on Afghanistan.

Discussions were also made on the Covid crisis. Indonesia had reached out to India during the second wave of the crisis last year. After this, &nbsp;India had sent support to the country when it was hit by the pandemic. Indian Navy had delivered Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) containers to the country as part of mission Sagar.&nbsp;

Both countries are part of the G20 Troika as well. Indonesia will hold the G20 summit this year and hand over the baton to India who will be chairing the grouping next year.

India will be hosting the G20 summit for the first time in 2023 with the construction of the venue centres taking place at a rapid pace in the national capital New Delhi.

India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Indonesia's foreign minister Retno Marsudi on Wednesday in the new year conversation discussed a range of issues including the Aceh and Andaman Nicobar island connectivity.

India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Indonesia's foreign minister Retno Marsudi on Wednesday in the new year conversation discussed a range of issues including the Aceh and Andaman Nicobar island connectivity. During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2018 visit to Indonesia, among several agreements, both sides decided to cooperate in connectivity between Andaman and Nicobar island and Aceh province of Indonesia. Sabang port in Aceh is around 90 nautical miles from the Indian islands of Andaman and Nicobar. During the 2018 visit, it was also decided to set up a joint task force to undertake projects for port-related infrastructure in and around Sabang by both the neighbouring countries. Important to note, Sabang sits at the entrance of the Strait of Malacca, which is considered to be a key global choke point. Being one of the most important shipping lanes, any stoppage of traffic here can impact countries like China, whose major chunk of energy and trade passes via the strait. During the conversation, both sides also discussed the Covid crisis, the situation in Myanmar and Afghanistan. Indonesia, as an ASEAN member has been concerned about the developments in Myanmar, just like New Delhi. Also read | This Indian airport featured in top 10 global list for on-time performance Myanmar saw a coup in February of last year with several political leaders being detained. There were also reports of large-scale violence happening in the country. In Afghanistan, like India, Indonesia has been a key stakeholder. In fact, the Indonesian foreign minister was the only women foreign minister during last month's Organization of Islamic cooperation foreign ministers meeting in Islamabad on Afghanistan. Discussions were also made on the Covid crisis. Indonesia had reached out to India during the second wave of the crisis last year. After this, India had sent support to the country when it was hit by the pandemic. Indian Navy had delivered Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) containers to the country as part of mission Sagar. Both countries are part of the G20 Troika as well. Indonesia will hold the G20 summit this year and hand over the baton to India who will be chairing the grouping next year. India will be hosting the G20 summit for the first time in 2023 with the construction of the venue centres taking place at a rapid pace in the national capital New Delhi.

India, Indonesia FMs discuss Aceh-Andaman-Nicobar connectivity, Myanmar and Afghanistan

The masked woman nervously approaches her target, shuffles into position and then unleashes a flurry of lashes -- proving herself as the newest member of the first female flogging squad in Indonesia's Aceh province.

The new recruit initially needed some coaxing to punish the offender -- an unmarried woman caught in a hotel room with a man.

Such behaviour constitutes a morality crime in Aceh, the only region in the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation that imposes Islamic law -- known as Sharia. Those found guilty of breaches are often publicly whipped with a rattan cane.

But despite her reticence, she persevered and delivered her first flogging.

"I think she did a good job. Her technique was nice," Banda Aceh Sharia police chief investigator Zakwan, who uses one name, told AFP.

The controversial punishment enrages rights activists and generates heated media debate, as well as amongst politicians.&nbsp;

Indonesia's president has issued a call for the public floggings to stop but he has little say over what happens in Aceh, a deeply conservative region on Sumatra island.

Unlike the rest of the nation, Aceh follows religious law as part of a 2005 autonomy deal agreed with the central government that ended a decades-long separatist insurgency.

Here, public whipping remains a common punishment for scores of offenders for a range of charges including gambling, adultery, drinking alcohol, and having gay or pre-marital sex.&nbsp;

But the job has always been done by men. Until now.

'No mercy'

More and more women are being charged for morality crimes such as public affection or premarital sex, experts say, as greater internet access and globalisation bring clashes with local cultural and religious norms.&nbsp;

Enforcement too has increased and now Aceh says it's trying to follow Islamic law, which calls for women to whip female perpetrators. This is already what happens in neighbouring Malaysia.&nbsp;

But convincing women to participate has been no easy task, and it's taken years to assemble the first female squad, according to Safriadi, who heads provincial capital Banda Aceh's Sharia Implementation Unit.

Eight women -- all Sharia officers -- agreed to be floggers and were trained in the appropriate technique and advised how to limit injury.&nbsp;

Previously, a dozen men performed all the whippings in the city for an unspecified fee.

For security reasons, Aceh officials declined to let AFP speak with the floggers, who are outfitted in cloth masks and loose-fitting brown uniforms to hide their identities.

"We train them to make sure they're physically fit and teach them how to do a proper whipping," Zakwan said.

But the secret for any whipping is getting past the mental hurdle of lashing fellow citizens.&nbsp;

For that, you need to look to God, Zakwan said.

"It's kind of an indoctrination that we give to them so they have a better understanding of their role -- have no mercy for those who violate God's law', he added.

'Too lenient'

Aceh officials insist caning deters crime, with patrols often scouring public places and establishments -- or acting on tip-offs -- to monitor behaviour.

Sharia police in Banda Aceh, a city of some 220,000 people, are on the streets round-the-clock in three shifts.

On a recent patrol, a couple sitting close to each other on the beach escaped with a reprimand.

But a group of men and women spotted at a coffee shop around 3:00 am weren't so lucky and were arrested on suspicion of breaking strict codes about unmarried men and women interacting.

<img alt="Sharia law" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1096f324-388a-42ce-969b-62f010a3ef8e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1NN8X7.jpg" />

[A woman, 21, who was caught in proximity with her boyfriend, is caned in Banda Aceh on October 29, 2018. (Photo: AFP)] 
 
"This shows that we never sleep looking for violations of Sharia (Islamic law)," Safriadi said.

From behind bars, one of the men said that there was nothing romantic happening at the coffee shop.

"We don't even know the women and were sitting at different tables," he told AFP.

The women were later released with a reprimand as were the men, but police said the trio may be charged for a new offence, after it was determined they were gay.

Same-sex relations can earn residents a whipping in front of jeering crowds, which can number in the hundreds.

"Sharia in Aceh is still lenient," said resident Saiful Tengkuh.

"Aceh needs harsher punishments like stoning, not just whipping. Someone committing adultery should be stoned 100 times," he added.

'Don't do it again'

Aceh, home to about 5 million people, once mulled beheading for serious crimes, but the central government ruled it out.

This summer, it made headlines over a fatwa, or religious edict, against online game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) and opposing a national women's football league because it didn't have a stadium where only female players, match officials and spectators would be present.

But whipping is often what gets Aceh in the news -- unwanted attention local officials say is Islamophobic.

Advocates say many people caught breaking religious law choose to whip as an efficient if painful, way to avoid a stiff jail term.

But this rough justice can take a toll.&nbsp;

Floggings can be so severe that people pass out or are hospitalised, with the most serious crimes -- including gay sex and having relations with a minor -- earning as many as 150 lashes.

Many offenders have fled the area out of shame or because customers deserted their businesses. Few are keen to discuss their experience.

For women, arrest for even a minor violation can lead to victimisation, including sexual harassment and rape during the arrest, according to research by the Network for Civil Society Concerned with Sharia.&nbsp;

Reporting these assaults without proof can even open up victims to flogging for making a false accusation, it added.

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have condemned such punishments as "barbaric", "inhumane", and tantamount to torture.&nbsp;

But Aceh officials insist they're "far more lenient" than ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia and some other Muslim nations.

"We're not aiming to hurt people by whipping them," Safriadi said.

"The most important thing is the shaming effect on violators and spectators so they don't do it again."

The masked woman nervously approaches her target, shuffles into position and then unleashes a flurry of lashes -- proving herself as the newest member of the first female flogging squad in Indonesia's Aceh province.

The masked woman nervously approaches her target, shuffles into position and then unleashes a flurry of lashes -- proving herself as the newest member of the first female flogging squad in Indonesia's Aceh province. The new recruit initially needed some coaxing to punish the offender -- an unmarried woman caught in a hotel room with a man. Such behaviour constitutes a morality crime in Aceh, the only region in the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation that imposes Islamic law -- known as Sharia. Those found guilty of breaches are often publicly whipped with a rattan cane. But despite her reticence, she persevered and delivered her first flogging. "I think she did a good job. Her technique was nice," Banda Aceh Sharia police chief investigator Zakwan, who uses one name, told AFP. The controversial punishment enrages rights activists and generates heated media debate, as well as amongst politicians. Indonesia's president has issued a call for the public floggings to stop but he has little say over what happens in Aceh, a deeply conservative region on Sumatra island. Unlike the rest of the nation, Aceh follows religious law as part of a 2005 autonomy deal agreed with the central government that ended a decades-long separatist insurgency. Here, public whipping remains a common punishment for scores of offenders for a range of charges including gambling, adultery, drinking alcohol, and having gay or pre-marital sex. But the job has always been done by men. Until now. 'No mercy' More and more women are being charged for morality crimes such as public affection or premarital sex, experts say, as greater internet access and globalisation bring clashes with local cultural and religious norms. Enforcement too has increased and now Aceh says it's trying to follow Islamic law, which calls for women to whip female perpetrators. This is already what happens in neighbouring Malaysia. But convincing women to participate has been no easy task, and it's taken years to assemble the first female squad, according to Safriadi, who heads provincial capital Banda Aceh's Sharia Implementation Unit. Eight women -- all Sharia officers -- agreed to be floggers and were trained in the appropriate technique and advised how to limit injury. Previously, a dozen men performed all the whippings in the city for an unspecified fee. For security reasons, Aceh officials declined to let AFP speak with the floggers, who are outfitted in cloth masks and loose-fitting brown uniforms to hide their identities. "We train them to make sure they're physically fit and teach them how to do a proper whipping," Zakwan said. But the secret for any whipping is getting past the mental hurdle of lashing fellow citizens. For that, you need to look to God, Zakwan said. "It's kind of an indoctrination that we give to them so they have a better understanding of their role -- have no mercy for those who violate God's law', he added. 'Too lenient' Aceh officials insist caning deters crime, with patrols often scouring public places and establishments -- or acting on tip-offs -- to monitor behaviour. Sharia police in Banda Aceh, a city of some 220,000 people, are on the streets round-the-clock in three shifts. On a recent patrol, a couple sitting close to each other on the beach escaped with a reprimand. But a group of men and women spotted at a coffee shop around 3:00 am weren't so lucky and were arrested on suspicion of breaking strict codes about unmarried men and women interacting. [A woman, 21, who was caught in proximity with her boyfriend, is caned in Banda Aceh on October 29, 2018. (Photo: AFP)] "This shows that we never sleep looking for violations of Sharia (Islamic law)," Safriadi said. From behind bars, one of the men said that there was nothing romantic happening at the coffee shop. "We don't even know the women and were sitting at different tables," he told AFP. The women were later released with a reprimand as were the men, but police said the trio may be charged for a new offence, after it was determined they were gay. Same-sex relations can earn residents a whipping in front of jeering crowds, which can number in the hundreds. "Sharia in Aceh is still lenient," said resident Saiful Tengkuh. "Aceh needs harsher punishments like stoning, not just whipping. Someone committing adultery should be stoned 100 times," he added. 'Don't do it again' Aceh, home to about 5 million people, once mulled beheading for serious crimes, but the central government ruled it out. This summer, it made headlines over a fatwa, or religious edict, against online game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) and opposing a national women's football league because it didn't have a stadium where only female players, match officials and spectators would be present. But whipping is often what gets Aceh in the news -- unwanted attention local officials say is Islamophobic. Advocates say many people caught breaking religious law choose to whip as an efficient if painful, way to avoid a stiff jail term. But this rough justice can take a toll. Floggings can be so severe that people pass out or are hospitalised, with the most serious crimes -- including gay sex and having relations with a minor -- earning as many as 150 lashes. Many offenders have fled the area out of shame or because customers deserted their businesses. Few are keen to discuss their experience. For women, arrest for even a minor violation can lead to victimisation, including sexual harassment and rape during the arrest, according to research by the Network for Civil Society Concerned with Sharia. Reporting these assaults without proof can even open up victims to flogging for making a false accusation, it added. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have condemned such punishments as "barbaric", "inhumane", and tantamount to torture. But Aceh officials insist they're "far more lenient" than ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia and some other Muslim nations. "We're not aiming to hurt people by whipping them," Safriadi said. "The most important thing is the shaming effect on violators and spectators so they don't do it again."

Sharia law in Indonesia: Now, female floggers to whip women for premarital sex, cuddling in public

More women in Aceh, a conservative region on Sumatra island, are being charged under sharia law for morality crimes such as cuddling in public or premarital sex

Your Story: Meet the first female floggers of Aceh

Humans and wild Sumatran elephants are engaged in a fierce conflict in the Indonesian province of Aceh. To mediate between the two groups, 31 tamed pachyderms have been enlisted in a bid to prevent the species' extinction.

Tame elephants mediate between humans, wild elephants in Indonesia's Aceh

A boat carrying 20 men believed to be Rohingya migrants landed in<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-to-give-first-report-on-deadly-lion-air-crash-on-wednesday-179761"> Indonesia </a>Tuesday, authorities said, the latest group of the vulnerable Myanmar minority to reach the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation.&nbsp;

They arrived in<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-100-prisoners-break-out-of-jail-in-aceh-after-a-riot-180504"> Aceh province</a> on Sumatra island in a rickety wooden boat, according to a local official, who said he thought the men were the persecuted Muslim Rohingya.

"We can't communicate with them because they don't speak Indonesian, Acehnese, or English. So we don't know much about them," said Iswandi, the head of Idi Rayeuk district where they arrived, who like many Indonesians goes by one name.

It is not known where the group, aged between around 20 to 40, set off from.

However, in recent weeks authorities in both Myanmar and Bangladesh, where around a million of the Muslim refugees are living in camps, have stopped boats of fleeing <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-seizes-boat-carrying-93-fleeing-rohingya-camps-for-malaysia-179696">Rohingya migrants headed mainly for Malaysia.&nbsp;</a>

It has been rare for Rohingya migrants to attempt the sea routes south since Thai authorities clamped down on regional trafficking networks in 2015, sparking a crisis across Southeast Asia as large numbers were abandoned at sea.

That year, hundreds of Rohingya came ashore in Aceh, where they were welcomed in the staunchly conservative Islamic province.

But there have been concerns the desperate community might start taking to the high seas again after mainly Buddhist Myanmar launched a new military crackdown last year that forced about 700,000 members of the Muslim minority to flee to Bangladesh.

In April, about 80 Rohingya in a wooden boat landed in Aceh just weeks after dozens more arrived in neighbouring Malaysia.

Indonesia tends to accept asylum seekers but they are usually barred from working and often spend years in immigration centres.

A boat carrying 20 men believed to be Rohingya migrants landed in Indonesia Tuesday, authorities said, the latest group of the vulnerable Myanmar minority to reach the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation.

A boat carrying 20 men believed to be Rohingya migrants landed in Indonesia Tuesday, authorities said, the latest group of the vulnerable Myanmar minority to reach the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation. They arrived in Aceh province on Sumatra island in a rickety wooden boat, according to a local official, who said he thought the men were the persecuted Muslim Rohingya. "We can't communicate with them because they don't speak Indonesian, Acehnese, or English. So we don't know much about them," said Iswandi, the head of Idi Rayeuk district where they arrived, who like many Indonesians goes by one name. It is not known where the group, aged between around 20 to 40, set off from. However, in recent weeks authorities in both Myanmar and Bangladesh, where around a million of the Muslim refugees are living in camps, have stopped boats of fleeing Rohingya migrants headed mainly for Malaysia. It has been rare for Rohingya migrants to attempt the sea routes south since Thai authorities clamped down on regional trafficking networks in 2015, sparking a crisis across Southeast Asia as large numbers were abandoned at sea. That year, hundreds of Rohingya came ashore in Aceh, where they were welcomed in the staunchly conservative Islamic province. But there have been concerns the desperate community might start taking to the high seas again after mainly Buddhist Myanmar launched a new military crackdown last year that forced about 700,000 members of the Muslim minority to flee to Bangladesh. In April, about 80 Rohingya in a wooden boat landed in Aceh just weeks after dozens more arrived in neighbouring Malaysia. Indonesia tends to accept asylum seekers but they are usually barred from working and often spend years in immigration centres.

Rohingya migrant boat lands in Indonesia: Official

More than 100 prisoners escaped from jail in Indonesia's&nbsp;Aceh&nbsp;province on Thursday, following a riot caused by stronger regulations imposed by the prison board.

About 113 inmates broke out after protesting the prison board. Authorities said they made a ruckus and damaged the prison with barbells from the gym facilities after they threw water at the guards.

Director General of Corrections at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Sri Puguh Budi Utami, urged the escaped prisoners to surrender as they had formed a task force to pursue them. Authorities had recaptured 26 inmates.

The prison has a capacity for 800 people and currently houses 726 inmates, mostly involved in drug cases.

More than 100 prisoners escaped from jail in Indonesia's Aceh province on Thursday, following a riot caused by stronger regulations imposed by the prison board. About 113 inmates broke out after protesting the prison board.

More than 100 prisoners escaped from jail in Indonesia's Aceh province on Thursday, following a riot caused by stronger regulations imposed by the prison board. About 113 inmates broke out after protesting the prison board. Authorities said they made a ruckus and damaged the prison with barbells from the gym facilities after they threw water at the guards. Director General of Corrections at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Sri Puguh Budi Utami, urged the escaped prisoners to surrender as they had formed a task force to pursue them. Authorities had recaptured 26 inmates. The prison has a capacity for 800 people and currently houses 726 inmates, mostly involved in drug cases.

Over 100 prisoners break out of jail in Aceh after riot

Firefighters in Indonesia are struggling to contain a blaze at an oil well in the northwestern province of Aceh that killed ten people and injured as many as 40, authorities said on Wednesday.

Flames towered over houses and trees as firefighters hosed down the area while villagers watched, in pictures posted on social media by Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, the spokesman of Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency.

"We are still collecting data on the number of victims because the fire has not been extinguished yet," the agency said in a statement.

The fire broke out in the east Aceh district in the early hours of Wednesday, after a well of depth 250 metres (820 ft) overflowed and residents gathered to collect the oil, the agency added.

Dozens of people were being rushed to hospital in the provincial capital of Banda Aceh, it said, adding that state oil firm Pertamina was providing equipment to help control the fire.

The head of police in east Aceh said the oil well might have been drilled illegally and the fire might have been started when someone was smoking a cigarette.

"We suspect this is a well drilled by the community...and we suspect there was someone smoking in the area at the time," said police official Wahyu Kuncoro. The number of injured stood at 40, he added.

Such illegal drilling is common in Aceh, where Pertamina operates an oil field.

Flames towered over houses and trees as firefighters hosed down the area while villagers watched, in pictures posted on social media by Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, the spokesman of Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency.

Firefighters in Indonesia are struggling to contain a blaze at an oil well in the northwestern province of Aceh that killed ten people and injured as many as 40, authorities said on Wednesday. Flames towered over houses and trees as firefighters hosed down the area while villagers watched, in pictures posted on social media by Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, the spokesman of Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency. "We are still collecting data on the number of victims because the fire has not been extinguished yet," the agency said in a statement. The fire broke out in the east Aceh district in the early hours of Wednesday, after a well of depth 250 metres (820 ft) overflowed and residents gathered to collect the oil, the agency added. Dozens of people were being rushed to hospital in the provincial capital of Banda Aceh, it said, adding that state oil firm Pertamina was providing equipment to help control the fire. The head of police in east Aceh said the oil well might have been drilled illegally and the fire might have been started when someone was smoking a cigarette. "We suspect this is a well drilled by the community...and we suspect there was someone smoking in the area at the time," said police official Wahyu Kuncoro. The number of injured stood at 40, he added. Such illegal drilling is common in Aceh, where Pertamina operates an oil field.

Fire at oil well in Indonesia's Aceh kills 10, injures 40

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