{
  "id": 1066216,
  "title": "Aceh Peace Day Tribute Turns Violent as Crowd Clashes with Police",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/aceh-peace-day-tribute-turns-violent-as-crowd-clashes-with-police",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-15T15:19:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tempo.co English",
    "slug": "tempo-co-english",
    "url": "https://en.tempo.co/read/2117590/aceh-peace-day-tribute-turns-violent-as-crowd-clashes-with-police"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Saturday, August 15, 2026, a riot erupted during the commemoration of Aceh Peace Day at Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh City. The conflict began when someone climbed a flagpole and lowered Indonesia's red-and-white flag, replacing it with a crescent-star flag. This act sparked chants from the crowd, intensifying the situation. Attendee M. Jamil explained that the event encouraged prayer and reciting the zikir for peace and a more just and prosperous Acehnese society.\n\nRaising the alternative flag prompted immediate gunfire from the police, prompting the crowd to move towards the sound and throw stones at the officers. Several parked cars were damaged during the altercation. Despite police urging the crowd to disperse, their requests went unheeded. Consequently, the police resorted to using water cannons and tear gas to clear the area.\n\nThe day prior, a civil society coalition held a symbolic demonstration, holding white flags and urging the central government to declare ecological disasters in Aceh and Sumatra as national disasters. Rahmad Maulidin, the protest coordinator, expressed concern over unclear rehabilitation and reconstruction policies due to the lack of a national disaster declaration. This issue remained relevant, as post-disaster management in affected areas had not been optimal.",
  "summary": "A riot erupted during the commemoration of the 21st Aceh Peace Day at the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque (MRB) in Banda Aceh City.",
  "key_points": [
    "Riot erupts during Aceh Peace Day commemoration at Baiturrahman Grand Mosque",
    "Flag replaced with crescent-star flag triggers police gunfire",
    "Tear gas and water cannons used to disperse crowd"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}