Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has heightened its alert level in parts of Syria due to escalating violence between anti-regime armed groups and government forces in the country’s northern regions.

“Following our contingency plans, the Indonesian Embassy in Damascus has raised the alert status in several provinces to Level I, the highest level,” said Judha Nugraha, the Director of Citizen Protection at the Ministry, during a media briefing on Thursday (5/12/2024).

The highest alert now applies to eight provinces, including Aleppo, Idlib, Hama, and Hasaka, effective December 2, 2024. Other areas, including Damascus, remain under Level II alert.

Currently, 1,162 Indonesians live in Syria, with the majority in Damascus and Hasaka. Approximately 35 reside in high-conflict zones like Aleppo and Hama.

The Foreign Ministry is coordinating with embassies in neighboring countries and urging Indonesians in Syria to report their whereabouts, avoid dangerous areas, and prepare emergency kits.

The Syrian conflict, now in its 14th year, escalated on November 27 when anti-regime forces launched surprise attacks, gaining control of Aleppo and other territories.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)