Jakarta - Indonesia’s foreign affairs ministry urged Indonesians in Iraq and Iran to remain vigilant and follow the local authorities’ instructions and appeals amid rising tension in the region after the US killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.

"In connection with the political and security situations in Iraq, Iran, and the surrounding areas, Indonesian citizens are advised to always maintain communication with the nearest Indonesian representatives," the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry noted in a statement on Wednesday.

"Immediately contact your local/nearest RI Representatives if you need information and assistance," the statement noted.

Mentioned herewith is the list of hotline numbers that can be contacted:

The Indonesian Embassy in Baghdad: +964 780 6610 920 / + 9647500365228

The Iranian Embassy in Tehran: +989120542167

The Indonesian Embassy in Kuwait City: + 965-9720 6060

The Indonesian Embassy in Manama: + 973-3879 1650

The Indonesian Embassy in Doha: + 974-33322875

The Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi: + 971-566-156259

The Indonesian Embassy in Amman: +962 7 7915 0407

The Indonesian Embassy in Damascus: +963 954 444 810

The Indonesian Embassy in Beirut: +961 5 924 676

The Indonesian Embassy in Muscat: +968 9600 0210

The Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh: +966 56 917 3990

The Indonesian Consulate General in Dubai: + 971-56-3322611 / + 971-56-4170333

The Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah: + 966-50360 9667

"As a precautionary measure against a possible escalation in tension and its impacts on Indonesian citizens, a contingency plan has been prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs along with Indonesian Representatives in the region," the Foreign Affairs Ministry stated.

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also reactivated the crisis center number +62 812-9007-0027.

In the meantime, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi had earlier summoned Iranian Ambassador to Indonesia Mohammad Azad and the United States Ambassador to Indonesia Joseph R. Donovan Jr. amid the flare-up in tensions between both conflicting nations.

While addressing the Christmas celebrations at the Foreign Ministry on Monday, Marsudi highlighted the significance of Indonesia summoning the two ambassadors to send across a peace message while stressing that the use of violence to settle their differences will be beneficial to none.
"We hope both sides would do their utmost to exercise self-restraint, so the escalation of conflict can be avoided," she reiterated.

The escalation of conflict between Iran and the United States will lead to uncertainty in the Middle East and will ultimately have a global impact. Moreover, without new conflict, the global economy has come under pressure, she remarked.

The minister highlighted Indonesia's direct interests in creating peace in the Middle East to protect millions of Indonesian nationals, who stay, live, and work in the region.

Hence, the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East will undoubtedly have an impact on the Indonesian community in the region, she pointed out. (ANTARA)

America's military strategy in Iraq was thrown into confusion Monday as the Pentagon admitted a letter from a general informing the Iraqi government of an imminent US troop pullout was sent by "mistake". As quoted by afp.comon Tuesday the latest developments came as a sea of black-clad mourners in Tehran paid homage to Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force who was killed in a US strike in Iraq on Friday. US Brigadier General William Seely informed his Iraqi counterparts in a letter dated Sunday that American troops were preparing to leave Iraq. Seely said the US-led coalition would be repositioning forces. The letter also stated that in order to conduct this task, Coalition Forces are required to take certain measures to ensure that the movement out of Iraq is conducted in a safe and efficient manner. It said helicopters would be traveling in and around Baghdad's Green Zone where the US embassy is located as part of the preparations. AFP could hear helicopters flying low over Baghdad throughout the night on Monday. But Pentagon Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley said on Monday the letter was a mere draft and should not have been sent. (AFP) 

South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday called for better relations with the North so leader Kim Jong Un can visit Seoul, despite Pyongyang's abandonment of its nuclear and missile test moratoriums. As stated by afp.com,  Moon's appeal came after Kim threatened a demonstration of a "new strategic weapon" at a four-day ruling party meeting last week, where he never mentioned South Korea. Since the breakdown of Kim's summit with US President Donald Trump in Hanoi last year, Pyongyang has repeatedly lashed out at the South, saying it has "nothing to talk" about any more with Seoul. But Moon, who has long favoured engagement with the nuclear-armed North, doubled down on his dovish approach. Moon also hopes that South and North Korea can make efforts together so that the conditions for Chairman Kim Jong Un's reciprocal visit can be arranged at an early date. The invitation for Kim to visit Seoul dates from the two leaders' last summit, in Pyongyang in September 2018, when the peninsula was basking in a diplomatic rapprochement. (AFP)

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi summoned Iranian Ambassador to Indonesia Mohammad Azad and the United States Ambassador to Indonesia Joseph R. Donovan Jr. on Monday evening amid the flare-up in tensions between both conflicting nations.

While addressing the Christmas celebrations at the Foreign Ministry, Marsudi highlighted the significance of Indonesia summoning the two ambassadors to send across a peace message while stressing that the use of violence to settle their differences will be beneficial to none.

"We hope both sides would do their utmost to exercise self-restraint, so the escalation of conflict can be avoided," she reiterated.

The escalation of conflict between Iran and the United States will lead to uncertainty in the Middle East and will ultimately have a global impact. Moreover, without new conflict, the global economy has come under pressure, she remarked.

The minister highlighted Indonesia’s direct interests in creating peace in the Middle East to protect millions of Indonesian nationals who stay, live, and work in the region.

Hence, the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East will undoubtedly have an impact on the Indonesian community in the region, she pointed out.

"Actually, this is not the first message we conveyed since we had earlier released a statement before the incident occurred. However, now, we'd better send a direct message to the ambassadors, who will pass it on to their respective capital city," she added.  (ANTARA)