RNS: The Indian government has issued an urgent advisory to its citizens in Syria, urging them to depart the country as soon as possible due to the rapidly deteriorating security situation. The advisory, released late Friday by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), also cautioned against travel to Syria until further notice.
“In light of the current situation in Syria, Indian nationals are strongly advised to avoid all travel to the country,” the MEA said in its statement.
The government has called on Indians currently residing in Syria to stay in close contact with the Indian Embassy in Damascus for updates and assistance. The embassy’s emergency helpline number, +963 993385973 (also available on WhatsApp), and email (hoc.damascus@mea.gov.in) are available for support.
Additionally, the MEA has advised those in Syria to leave at the earliest opportunity by commercial flights, urging those who are able to do so to book their departures immediately. For those unable to leave, the Ministry has emphasized the need for heightened caution and minimized movement.
The advisory comes as the situation in Syria worsens, with militants recently seizing control of Hama city, following their capture of Aleppo, the country’s second-largest city. This escalation has led to the displacement of over 280,000 people in northwest Syria within just a few days.
The violence is attributed to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group sanctioned by the UN Security Council as a terrorist organization. Despite the unrest, humanitarian aid continues to flow into the region, with the UN World Food Programme (WFP) setting up community kitchens in Aleppo and Hama.
Meanwhile, in neighboring Lebanon, the UN has raised alarms over the safety of over 600,000 people returning to their homes following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Concerns persist regarding the risks of unexploded ordnance in the area.
As the situation in Syria remains volatile, the Indian government’s advisory underscores the urgency of protecting the safety of its nationals in the region.
