Indonesia Evacuates 30 Indonesian Citizens From Syria Amid Conflict

Evacuation of Indonesian citizens from Syria. (ANTARA PHOTO/Okta)

As many as 30 Indonesian citizens (WNI) who were affected by the conflict in Syria were successfully evacuated and have arrived safely in Indonesia on Sunday, December 15, 2024.

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) continues to collect data and coordinate with Indonesian citizens in Syria to facilitate those who are willing to return to their homeland, as conveyed through an official statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta.

This evacuation is the second wave after previously, on December 12, 35 Indonesian citizens were successfully repatriated. Thus, the total number of Indonesian citizens who have been evacuated from Syria has reached 65 people.

The repatriation process was carried out by land, passing through the Masnaa border to Lebanon, before continuing with flights to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

Indonesian citizens who were repatriated came from various regions in Indonesia, including Aceh, Banten, West Java, Central Java, East Java, West Nusa Tenggara, Central Sulawesi, and South Sulawesi. Of these, there are 25 women and 5 men.

Based on the latest data, there are 1,162 Indonesian citizens who still live in Syria. Of these, 65 people have now been sent home, while another 84 have expressed their desire to return to their homeland.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Damascus continue to monitor the development of the security situation in Syria which is considered very dynamic.

Conflicts in the region, including attacks still carried out by Israel, have put all parts of Syria in Alert One status since December 7 until now.

To protect Indonesian citizens, the government has taken various strategic steps. These steps include updating contingency plans, including evacuation routes, intensive coordination between related agencies, online meetings with Indonesian citizens in Syria, and cooperation with local authorities to ensure the smooth evacuation process through a safe route.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also appealed to Indonesian citizens who are still in Syria to continue to update information about the local security situation, avoid vulnerable areas and crowds, limit unnecessary mobility, and maintain active communication with the Indonesian Embassy in Damascus and fellow Indonesian citizens.

People who have family members in Syria are expected to immediately contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via the Hotline of the Directorate of Protection of Indonesian Citizens at [phone] or the Hotline of the Indonesian Embassy in Damascus at [phone] to obtain further information.