Over 6,000 Indonesian Citizens Stranded by Middle East Conflict to Return Home in Stages

Jakarta — The Indonesian government has recorded more than 6,000 Indonesian citizens (WNI) stranded and unable to return home due to conflicts in the Middle East.

“Based on our calculations, the number of stranded WNI from the beginning until now has exceeded 6,000,” said Heni Hamidah, Director of Indonesian Citizen Protection (PWNI) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during a press conference in Jakarta on Friday, 13 March 2026.

These Indonesian citizens will be repatriated to Indonesia in stages in accordance with flight availability and airspace conditions.

“The majority of those stranded are in Jeddah, who are umrah pilgrims,” she stated.

“Every day we receive daily reports regarding the handling of these stranded WNI. As you can see, the numbers typically decrease daily,” she explained.

Regarding the organisation of the 2026 hajj pilgrimage, the government stated that there have been no policy changes announced by Saudi Arabian authorities. To date, the hajj pilgrimage continues to proceed as planned.

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has not yet announced any new scenarios regarding the organisation of the hajj pilgrimage next year. Therefore, the public, particularly prospective hajj pilgrims, are urged to remain calm and await official information from the government.