RRI.CO.ID, Bandung - The West Java Provincial Administration has officially established a dedicated emergency hotline to monitor and ensure the safety of its citizens residing in the Middle East. This urgent response follows a significant escalation in regional hostilities, marked by large-scale military operations and the subsequent closure of vast segments of international airspace.
The initiative, launched on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, serves as a vital link for migrant workers, students, and pilgrims who may be trapped or in danger due to the conflict.
Acting on the direct instructions of Governor Dedi Mulyadi, the West Java Communication and Information Agency (Diskominfo) is prioritizing the mapping and protection of the province's extensive diaspora in the Gulf and Levant regions.
"The Governor is deeply concerned about the safety of West Java residents in the Middle East. This has become a serious focus for us," said Head of West Java Diskominfo, Adi Komar at Gedung Pakuan, Bandung, as quoted by Antara.
Residents in the conflict zone or their families in Indonesia requiring urgent information or assistance are urged to contact the emergency number: 0821-2603-0038.
The crisis reached a tipping point following a massive joint operation by the US and Israel against Iran starting Saturday, February 28, which resulted in the deaths of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking military officials.
In retaliation, Iran launched strikes against Israel and targeted US military assets in several Gulf nations, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. On Tuesday morning, a drone attack on the US Embassy in Riyadh caused fires and structural damage, prompting several nations to advise their citizens to evacuate from Saudi Arabia immediately.
The provincial administration is currently updating data on its citizens as reports come in from those on the ground. However, the mass closure of airspace to commercial flights has made physical evacuation extremely difficult.
"For now, we have prepared a grievance channel via 'hotline.' West Java residents in the Middle East can convey their conditions and what is needed, and we will follow up accordingly," Adi explained regarding the reporting mechanism.
The hotline team, a collaboration between the Public Relations and Diskominfo units, will coordinate all reports with the central government to determine feasible evacuation routes as soon as corridors open. ***
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