SURIAH — After evacuating 41 Indonesian citizens in Lebanon through Syria in early October 2024, the Indonesian Embassy in Damascus evacuated 67 Indonesian citizens in Syria to return to their homeland. This evacuation was motivated by political instability in Syria due to the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime by opposition groups in early December 2024.
This overthrow was driven by the Syrian people’s dissatisfaction with the Assad government. As a result of this event, the international community, including the United Nations (UN), called for peace and reconciliation to protect the affected civilians.
The Indonesian Embassy inDamascus immediately issued a circular letter on December 6, 2024, urging Indonesian citizens in Syria to leave the country while transportation is still possible. The embassy also provided a hotline number for emergency assistance. The circular reads:
“In connection with the development of the security situation in Syria which continues to deteriorate due to armed opposition attacks, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Damascus appeals to all Indonesian citizens in Syria to immediately leave the Syrian territory when the situation still allows and means of transportation out of the Syrian territory are still available. If you need urgent assistance, please contact the Hotline Number of the Indonesian Embassy in Damascus: (+963) 954 444 810/(+963) 983 493 426/(+963) 983 480 264”.
Evacuation of Indonesian citizens from Syria to the country
On December 10, 2024, the Indonesian Embassy in Damascus carried out the first wave of evacuation for 37 Indonesian citizens. The group departed by bus to Beirut before continuing the flight to Jakarta on December 11, 2024, and arriving in Indonesia a day later.
When releasing the group, the Indonesian Ambassador, Dr. Wajid Fauzi guided the evacuation participants to pray that their journey would be smooth and they would arrive in Indonesia safely.
“All of you. Have a safe journey. Hopefully the journey will be smooth until you reach your homeland. Greetings to your families,” he said inside the bus, shortly before the bus drove to Beirut, Tuesday (12/10/2024).
The second wave of evacuation was carried out on December 13, 2024, with 30 Indonesians and one companion departing via the same route. They stayed at the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut before flying to the country on December 14, 2024 and arriving in Jakarta the next day. In each departure, Ambassador Wajid Fauzi delivered prayers and motivation to the evacuation participants, praying for a smooth journey and safety for all. Wajid invited each group to be able to take lessons from the journey of life in Syria.
“I hope your experience in Syria will be a valuable life experience. Agree?” he said inside the bus, shortly before the bus drove to Beirut, Friday (12/13/2024).
“Agreed,” said the Indonesian citizens in unison.
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Friendship between Indonesia and Syria
In an online discussion on December 11, 2024 with citizens in the country, Ambassador Wajid Fauzi emphasized the importance of the historical relationship between Indonesia and Syria. He reminded that Syria had been a strong supporter of Indonesia’s independence in 1947. Syria, he said, through its representative at the UN raised the issue of Indonesia, or Indonesian Matters, to be submitted at the UN Security Council, and Syria supported Indonesia’s independence. This history, according to the Ambassador, is a very valuable value in the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Despite the change of power in Syria, as is currently happening, Wajid hopes that the friendship between the two countries will be maintained and even continue to grow.
Regarding the current conditions, the Ambassador said that life in the city of Damascus has gradually normalized, with the activities of citizens, transportation, and trade running smoothly again. He also confirmed that until now, Indonesian citizens in Syria are in a safe condition with no significant impact from the latest political changes.
“I went around the city, saw the streets in Damascus City. I can say that 98 percent of the people’s lives are back to normal. Shops are open, public transportation has started running, and people can go out freely without any obstacles,” said the Indonesian Ambassador to Syria, as quoted from republika.co.id.
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Recently, Dompet Dhuafa carried a mandate from the people of Indonesia to distribute humanitarian aid for victims of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Syria in February 2023. The earthquake caused severe damage and suffering to the local community.
Through the Indonesian government, Dompet Dhuafa sent the first batch of humanitarian aid from the people of Indonesia to the people of Syria. In addition, working directly with the Indonesian Embassy in Syria and local humanitarian organizations in Syria, Dompet Dhuafa’s humanitarian team distributed thousands of food packages to the earthquake survivors. The aid in the form of canned food and staple food items showed the strong solidarity of the Indonesian people towards the suffering of the disaster victims in Syria. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photo: Indonesian Embassy in Syria, Riza Muthohar
Editor: Dhika