RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Damascus, Syria, has issued an urgent advisory for Indonesian citizens (WNI) to postpone all travel to Lebanon. This warning comes as the Jdeidet Yabous (Syria) – Masnaa (Lebanon) border crossing has been officially closed since Saturday, April 4, 2026.

"Citizens are advised not to travel toward the Jdeidet Yabous-Masnaa crossing or its surrounding areas. Please suspend all Syria-Lebanon land travel until the situation is declared safe," conveyed the Embassy via its official Instagram account on Sunday, April 5, 2026.

The Syrian Border and Customs Authorities announced the closure due to threats of Israeli airstrikes targeting the Masnaa region. The Indonesian Embassy emphasized that this advisory is a necessary measure to ensure the safety of its citizens.

"This decision was made to guarantee the safety and security of travelers. The crossing will remain closed temporarily until security conditions stabilize," the statement continued.

In addition to the travel suspension, the Embassy urged Indonesians in the region to increase their vigilance and monitor local conditions closely. They are also advised to follow official information provided by both local authorities and the Embassy.

For those facing emergency situations, the Indonesian Embassy in Damascus has provided the following hotline numbers: +963 954 444 810 and +963 983 493 426.

Indonesian representatives in Damascus further requested that citizens avoid traveling to high-risk areas prone to conflict. The Embassy will continue to monitor regional developments and provide updates to the public.

The region has seen a sharp escalation in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon, fueled by the widening conflict with Iran. Recent Israeli strikes have resulted in casualties among the Indonesian Military serving with the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Of the six soldiers affected by the strikes, three have been confirmed killed in action, who are Major Inf (Posthumous) Zulmi Aditya Iskandar, First Sergent (Posthumous) M. Nur Ichwan, and Corporal (Posthumous) Farizal Rhomadhon.

President Prabowo Subianto expressed his deep condolences over the loss of the three TNI soldiers during their UN peacekeeping mission. The President issued a stern condemnation of the incidents that led to their deaths.

"The Indonesian nation mourns the loss of three Indonesian Military soldiers in their noble duty as UN peacekeepers in Lebanon. We, as fellow citizens, strongly condemn every heinous act that undermines peace," remarked President Prabowo in a post on his official Instagram account, @prabowo, on Sunday, April 5, 2026. (Annaila Azzahra/Bambang MBKA)