Indonesian Foreign Ministry: Middle East Governments Do Not Recommend Evacuation

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu RI) has disclosed that a number of governments in the Middle East do not recommend that Indonesia evacuate Indonesian citizens (WNI) who are in their territories. This follows the conflict between Iran and Israel and the United States (US), which has led to heightened tensions in the Middle East.

‘But what we need to note is that the governments in the Middle East, they do not recommend evacuation,’ said the Director General for Asia, the Pacific, and Africa at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Santo Darmosumarto, at a press conference at the MOFA in Jakarta on Friday (6 March 2026).

According to Santo, although the number of Indonesian citizens in the Middle East is substantial, at 519,412 people, conditions vary from country to country.

‘And also in every country the government has been very aware and very proactive in issuing advisories to foreign nationals to remain calm, safe, and that they will be provided with various necessities as before,’ he stated.

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed that there have been no reports of Indonesian citizens affected directly by the ongoing conflict between the United States and Israel and Iran.

‘Up to now, there have been no reports of Indonesians directly impacted by the attacks,’ said Heni in a similar press conference.

‘What is affected at present is that Indonesian citizens are stranded due to airspace restrictions or closures, flight route diversions, and uncertainty in international travel schedules,’ she added.

Nevertheless, the stranded Indonesians are receiving accommodation, lodging, and meals while awaiting onward flights.

Flight schedule monitoring continues and is being coordinated by Indonesian representatives with local authorities.

Indonesia’s representatives deployed a 24-hour monitoring team at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah to handle stranded Indonesian Umrah pilgrims.

‘And the pilgrims who are still stranded are being coordinated by the representatives and by travel partners, with accommodation or lodging found around Jeddah and Madinah while awaiting available return tickets,’ she emphasised.