VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

A screenshot of the arrival of Indonesian citizens, who are evacuated from Afghanistan, Jakarta, Saturday (August 21, 2021). (ANTARA/Dewa Ketut Sudiarta Wiguna/RA) - 

An Indonesian Air Force plane, carrying aboard Indonesia's citizens from Afghanistan, landed at the Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, East Jakarta, at around 3:09 a.m. local time.

"Alhamdulillah (thank god), we have successfully evacuated Indonesian citizens from Afghanistan, and this morning, they have just arrived safely in Jakarta," Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi stated at the Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Saturday morning.

Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, accompanied by the Indonesian Military Commander Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, welcomed Indonesian citizens that arrived from Afghanistan.

Marsudi explained that the government had brought back 26 Indonesian citizens, including staff from the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Afghanistan.

Along with the 26 Indonesian citizens, five Filipinos and two Afghans, of which one is an employee at the Indonesian Embassy while the other a spouse of an Indonesian citizen, were also evacuated in the mission.

"In addition to Indonesian citizens, five Filipino citizens are also transported during this Indonesian evacuation mission as requested by their government," the minister confirmed.

Marsudi noted that it was not the first time that assistance was extended to bring foreign nationals on evacuation missions and was a humanitarian obligation that should be conducted.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Military Commander Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto stated that the evacuation of Indonesian citizens from Kabul to Jakarta was not easy on account of the numerous on-field problems and dynamics.

"However, everything can be implemented well owing to the cooperation between ministries and institutions, so that this operation can run safely and smoothly," Marsudi remarked.

All evacuated Indonesian citizens and members of the evacuation team immediately underwent health protocols according to the rules for arrivals from abroad.

Earlier, the Indonesian government had planned to evacuate Indonesian citizens from Afghanistan following the deteriorating security situation in the country after the capital Kabul was taken over by Taliban insurgents on Sunday, August 15, 2021//ANT