Indonesian Citizens Stranded in Middle Eastern Countries Urged Remain Calm

Jakarta: Deputy Minister of Human Rights Mugiyanto has called on Indonesian citizens in Middle Eastern countries affected by recent regional tensions to remain calm and comply with instructions issued by Indonesian embassies and local authorities.

“We hope that everyone currently in this conflict-affected region will remain calm and confident that the situation will soon improve. Let us follow the policies and directives issued by our ambassadors and local authorities,” he said in Doha, Qatar.

Mugiyanto delivered the remarks in a video statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday, as quoted by Antara.

He said that he and several aides from the Ministry of Human Rights have been stranded in Doha for three days due to the Iran–Israel–US conflict, preventing them from continuing their journey to Geneva, Switzerland, to attend a session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

The deputy minister noted that security concerns remain high, with no immediate indication of airspace reopening in Qatar or neighboring countries.

Citing Indonesian Ambassador to Qatar Guruh Langkah Samudra, Mugiyanto said that more than 100 Indonesian nationals were waiting for outbound flights at Hamad International Airport.

“In addition to those in Doha, there are dozens or even hundreds of Indonesian citizens stranded in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as well as in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain. We are all grounded and unable to continue our travel,” he said.

He added that local authorities have advised residents to limit movement outside due to security concerns. “We can only hope for the swift reopening of airspace in Qatar and nearby countries and for peace to be restored soon,” Mugiyanto said.

Tensions escalated after the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran on Saturday, Feb. 28, targeting Tehran and other strategic locations.

Iran responded by firing missiles at US military bases across the region, including one in Doha.

The escalation occurred amid indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran on limiting Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, with Oman acting as mediator. The third round of talks was held in Geneva on Thursday, Feb. 26.