Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.  Major General Hariyanto, the Indonesian Military (TNI) Head of Public Information Center, said on Thursday (26/9/2024) that Indonesian troops with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) are prepared to help evacuate Indonesian citizens amid escalating conflict.

“We are fully prepared to assist in any evacuation efforts as needed”, he said, as quoted by antaranews.com.

The military has developed a contingency plan for emergencies, including evacuations, which requires approval from UNIFIL Force Commander Lieutenant General Aroldo Azàro of the Spanish Armed Forces.

Currently, 155 Indonesians reside in Lebanon, mainly students and those married to Lebanese nationals. Israeli military actions against Hezbollah have resulted in nearly 570 deaths and over 1,800 injuries, displacing thousands.

The Indonesian Embassy in Beirut has raised the alert level to “Siaga 1”, or emergency, for all citizens in Lebanon and issued travel advisories against visiting Lebanon and Israel. Since August 2024, 25 Indonesians have been evacuated.

Over 1,000 Indonesian troops participate in various UNIFIL units, conducting emergency evacuation drills and ensuring readiness for potential operations.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)