Jakarta, Indonesia sentinel — The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that 1,162 Indonesian citizens remain unaccounted for in Syria, based on data provided by Syrian immigration authorities. However, this data is reportedly incomplete, posing significant challenges for accurate identification and evacuation efforts.
Yudha Nugraha, Director of the Protection of Indonesian Citizens and Legal Entities at the Ministry, stated, “According to Syrian immigration data, there are 1,162 of our citizens present in Syria. However, the information is not fully accurate.” Yudha emphasized that efforts are ongoing to obtain more reliable data by interviewing Indonesian citizens who may have insights into those who remain in Syria without officially reporting themselves.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges any Indonesians who have yet to report their presence in Syria to contact the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI). Additionally, families with relatives known to work in Syria should inform the Ministry’s hotline.
Most of these migrants work in domestic sectors and have left Indonesia without following official procedures, Yudha explained. “Syria is a closed market for domestic migrant workers, which is why gathering accurate data has proven difficult,” he added.
Many of these workers did not register with the Indonesian Embassy, BP2MI (Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency), or the Ministry of Manpower, and did not report their arrival in Syria. The Ministry is actively pursuing various efforts to obtain accurate information but faces resistance, as some individuals have chosen to remain in Syria rather than be evacuated.
Yudha noted that the number of Indonesians refusing evacuation fluctuates. Some initially requested evacuation but later changed their minds, preferring to stay in Syria.
“Ultimately, the government’s responsibility is to evacuate citizens from conflict zones to safer locations. However, the choice to evacuate rests with each individual,” Yudha clarified.
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He also explained that many Indonesian citizens, especially students, have opted to stay because universities provide safety assurances. “Most of these decisions are made by students who feel secure due to guarantees from their universities, and we cannot force them,” Yudha said.
As the Syrian conflict escalates, with President Bashar al-Assad’s regime experiencing significant challenges, the Indonesian Embassy in Damascus continues to facilitate efforts to evacuate and repatriate citizens to safety. The Ministry remains committed to ensuring the protection and well-being of Indonesian citizens caught in the turmoil of Syria’s ongoing conflicts.
(Becky)
