Afghanistan's Situation Deteriorates, Indonesia's Diplomatic Mission In Kabul Still Operates

Illustration of explosions in Afghanistan. (Wikimedia Commons/POA Phot/Sean Clee)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian government has no plans to close the Indonesian Embassy in Kabul even though the security situation in Afghanistan worsened after Taliban insurgents took control of the country's capital and President Ashraf Ghani fled abroad. Indonesian Foreign Minister Judha Nugraha via short message, reported by Antara, Monday, August 16. According to Judha, the Indonesian diplomatic mission will be operated by essential staff consisting of diplomats and security elements. Anticipating the security escalation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indonesian Embassy in Kabul have held a virtual meeting with Indonesian citizens (WNI) residing in Afghanistan to monitor conditions and explain evacuation preparation steps. said, until now there are 15 Indonesian citizens who have reported their presence in Afghanistan. This number does not include the staff serving at the Indonesian Embassy in Kabul. The Indonesian citizens, among others, work as expatriates, work for United Nations agencies, and are married to local residents. “They are all in good condition and safe. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indonesian Embassy in Kabul continue to monitor developments in the security escalation in Afghanistan," said Judha.

A number of countries namely Denmark, Norway, Canada, and Germany have decided to temporarily close their embassies in Afghanistan, following the widespread movement of the Taliban in that country. Western countries, including the United States (US), have also moved to evacuate their citizens from Afghanistan. In April, the Taliban stepped up their campaign to defeat the US-backed government when foreign forces withdrew after 20 years of war. US-backed Afghan forces ousted the Taliban from power in late 2001 for refusing to hand over Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the US.