"Indonesia is deeply concerned about the ongoing developments, particularly the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Aleppo," she told reporters after a citizen protection awards ceremony in Jakarta.

Against the backdrop of a continuously growing number of civilian casualties, particularly women and children, Indonesia strongly has urged the Bashar al-Assad administration to provide full and unbridled access for humanitarian aid, the minister said.

"We are aware that around 50,000 residents of Aleppo need to be evacuated, [...] and we will continue to push for the resumption of peace talks, which must be inclusive and non-sectarian," Retno added.

Both the Syrian government and the rebel forces have accused each other of doubling back on the deal, annulling the ceasefire and throwing thousands of people onto the streets in the dead of winter.

Due to such extraordinary circumstances in Syria, the Indonesian government is having difficulties monitoring its citizens.

"There are still so many of our citizens in Syria. [...] Now and again there have been a few cases where we had to evacuate our citizens from the conflict area," Minister Retno said without providing an estimate for the number of Indonesians still in the country.

The Indonesian Embassy in neighboring Damascus remains open, she explained. (jun)

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