Indonesia Develops Contingency Plan to Safeguard Citizens in Middle East, Prepares for Potential Conflict Rise

In the midst of escalating tensions in the Middle East due to the Israeli offensive against Hamas in Gaza, the Indonesian government has taken proactive measures to ensure the safety of its citizens in the region. All representatives of the Indonesian government in the Middle East have prepared contingency plans to safeguard Indonesian citizens amidst the potential conflict expansion.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Israeli offensive in Gaza has not only prompted resistance groups from other Middle Eastern countries to join the fight in solidarity with the Palestinian people but has also drawn countries bordering Israel and Palestine into the conflict. As a result, the safety of Indonesian citizens in the region has become a top priority for the government.

Director of Citizen Protection, Judha Nugraha, stated during a press conference in Central Jakarta that each representative in the Middle East has developed a contingency plan to anticipate any further escalation that may endanger Indonesian citizens. The recent incident where an Egyptian military personnel was killed in a firefight with Israeli personnel near the Egypt-Gaza crossing has further heightened tensions in the region.

In Lebanon, the Iran-backed Hezbollah has engaged in fire exchanges with the Israeli military since the start of Israel’s offensive on Gaza, resulting in the deaths of around 80 civilians, including children, medics, and journalists. Additionally, the Houthi group from Yemen has launched drone and missile attacks on ships passing through the Red Sea in solidarity with Palestinians.

Iran, a key player in the Axis of Resistance opposing Israel and the United States, has also exchanged fires with Israel following an alleged bombing of its embassy compound in Syria by Israel, which resulted in the death of seven military officers. In response to these escalating tensions, the Indonesian government has activated alert levels in various embassies in the region.

The Indonesian Embassy in Amman, Jordan has set alert level 1 for Israeli and Palestinian areas, while the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran has put Iran on alert level 2. The Indonesian Embassy in Beirut has set alert level 1 for southern Lebanon and alert level 2 for the Lebanese region, including Beirut. These measures are part of the government’s contingency plan to ensure the safety of Indonesian citizens in the Middle East.

Despite the preparations, Judha emphasized that the government does not expect to use the contingency plan but is ready to implement it according to standard operating procedures. Minister Retno Marsudi has also held meetings with the heads of representatives to anticipate any further escalation that may threaten Indonesian citizens in the region.

Currently, there are 130 Indonesian citizens living in Israel, eight in Gaza, 2,361 in Syria, 217 in Lebanon, 387 in Iran, and 553 in Iraq. These numbers are based on active self-reporting to the embassies, and there is a possibility of Indonesian citizens who are not actively self-reporting and therefore not registered. The government remains vigilant and prepared to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens in the Middle East amidst the escalating tensions.