Government Evacuates Indonesian Citizens From Afghanistan, Operations Of The Indonesian Embassy In Kabul Moved To Pakistan

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi with TNI Commander Marshal TNI Hadi Tjahjanto during a welcoming ceremony for Indonesian citizens who were evacuated from Afghanistan. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian government has decided to temporarily relocate the operations of the Indonesian Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan to Islamabad, Pakistan, in line with the evacuation of Indonesian citizens (WNI) from the country.

The Indonesian government evacuated 26 Indonesian citizens from Kabul, Afghanistan using an aircraft belonging to the Indonesian Air Force on Friday, August 20 via Islamabad, and arrived in the country on Saturday, August 21 at around 03.33 WIB.

"Initially we planned to continue to carry out the mission of the Indonesian Embassy in Kabul with a small team or a limited essential team. However, at the last moment the evacuation process occurred new developments, and for the time being the operation of the Indonesian Embassy in Kabul was carried out from Islamabad," said Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in a statement. he wrote.

"One Temporary Charge d'Affaires and three home staff will carry out the Kabul mission from Islamabad. This small team will continue to assess the Afghan situation every day and determine the next steps," continued Foreign Minister Retno.

In addition to 26 Indonesian citizens, 5 Filipinos and 2 Afghan citizens were also evacuated, who were husbands of Indonesian citizens and local staff of the Indonesian Embassy in Kabul. The arrival of the 33 people was greeted directly by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and TNI Commander Marshal TNI Hadi Tjahjanto at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Jakarta.

Previously, last Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Indonesian Embassy in Kabul Afghanistan would be run by a limited essential team, while continuing to monitor security developments in Afghanistan.

"The mission of the Indonesian Embassy in Kabul will continue to be carried out with a limited essential team, while continuing to monitor the security situation in Afghanistan," said the Foreign Ministry.

To note, the Taliban militia managed to enter Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan on Sunday, August 15, forcing President Ashraf Ghani to leave and foreign countries decided to evacuate diplomatic missions and their citizens from Afghanistan.