32 Indonesian Citizens Repatriated from Iran, 13 from West Java
Thirty-two Indonesian nationals evacuated from Iran include 13 residents from West Java Province (Jabar). The repatriation was necessitated by the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel-US alliance, which poses a serious threat to the safety of Indonesian citizens.
Hendra Kusuma Sumantri, Head of Placement and Labour Expansion, and Transmigration Division at the West Java Labour and Transmigration Office (Disnakertrans Jabar), announced that the 32 Indonesian nationals were evacuated in two flight contingents. The first contingent arrived on 10 March at 18:00 Western Indonesian Time, whilst the second arrived on 11 March at 18:00 Western Indonesian Time.
The first contingent comprised 22 persons, including 10 from West Java. The second contingent consisted of 10 persons, including three from West Java.
“Additionally, two Indonesian nationals from other regions requested repatriation facilitation from their regional governments, one each from Central Java and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). The West Java nationals returned to their respective regions independently after arriving in Indonesia,” Sumantri explained.
According to Hendra, Disnakertrans Jabar is currently awaiting more detailed information regarding the returnees, including whether their return is permanent or temporary, their background status as migrant workers or students, and their specific origins within West Java.
“We are still awaiting details on whether these returnees will stay permanently or temporarily, and whether they are migrant workers or students, as well as which districts or cities in West Java they originate from. Furthermore, we are still awaiting information on the possibility of additional Indonesian nationals being repatriated in subsequent stages,” he stated.
The Middle Eastern conflict involves three nations: America and Israel versus Iran. The United States and Israel launched attacks on several Iranian cities on Saturday (28 February). These attacks resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior Iranian military officials.
In response to these attacks, Iran launched retaliatory strikes against Israel and numerous United States military bases and assets in several Gulf nations including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
After striking a US military base in Saudi Arabia, Iran expanded its retaliatory assault by targeting American facilities throughout the Middle East. The Saudi Arabian government announced on Tuesday morning (3 March) that the United States Embassy in Riyadh was attacked by two drones, causing a limited fire and minor damage.
Several nations have requested their citizens to leave Saudi Arabia. However, this has proven difficult because most airspace is closed and many remain stranded.