Dede Leni Mardianti, Jakarta – Indonesia's National Armed Forces (TNI) Commander General Agus Subiyanto has placed all defense units on the military's highest alert level as tensions escalate in the Middle East.
The move was confirmed by Lieutenant General Yudi Abdimantyo, head of the TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency.
"The highest alert status issued by the TNI commander applies to all TNI units, including the Strategic Intelligence Agency," Yudi told Tempo on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
The Siaga I, or highest alert level, requires all personnel to remain ready at their headquarters with weapons, ammunition, and operational vehicles prepared to respond to emergency threats.
Yudi said the order was issued to anticipate potential security developments following attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran and Tehran's retaliatory strikes on several US military bases in the Middle East.
According to him, the escalation could affect the safety of Indonesian citizens (WNI) living in the region.
"The TNI, as the front line in safeguarding Indonesia's sovereignty, must anticipate every development in the global, regional, and national security environment," Yudi said.
He added that the directive specifically instructs the TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency to coordinate with Indonesian defense attaches in affected countries to identify and map the locations of Indonesian nationals.
Around 541,511 Indonesian citizens are currently residing in countries across the region, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Egypt, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq.
"The TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency, in coordination with relevant authorities, will work to ensure the safety of Indonesian citizens and prepare evacuation measures if necessary," Yudi said.
The agency will also coordinate with other intelligence bodies to monitor potential domestic security threats, including around major foreign diplomatic missions in Jakarta such as the US Embassy.
Yudi said any domestic security operations conducted by the agency would be carried out covertly in cooperation with other intelligence units.
Meanwhile, Brigadier General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah, head of the TNI Information Center, had not responded to requests for confirmation regarding the alert order.
Earlier, a report by Republika on March 7, 2026, said the alert order was contained in an official telegram signed by Lieutenant General Bobby Rinal Makmun, Assistant for Operations to the TNI commander, on March 1.
The document outlines seven directives for military units, including preparing personnel and primary weapon systems and increasing patrols at strategic facilities and economic centers such as airports, seaports, railway stations, bus terminals, and state electricity company PLN offices.
The National Air Defense Command was also instructed to conduct continuous early detection and air surveillance, while TNI intelligence units were ordered to monitor security developments and safeguard Indonesian citizens overseas.
The alert status remains in effect until further notice.