New Delhi:
Days after rebel forces overthrew President Bashar Assad’s authoritarian government, India on Tuesday evacuated 75 Indian nationals from the country, emphasising that the government accords the highest priority to the safety and security of Indian nationals abroad.
According to a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the evacuation was coordinated by the embassies of India in Damascus and Beirut.
The development came after an assessment of the security situation in Syria, the MEA said.
“The Government of India today evacuated 75 Indian nationals from Syria, following recent developments in that country. The evacuees included 44 ‘zaireen’ from Jammu & Kashmir who were stranded at Saida Zainab. All Indian nationals have safely crossed over to Lebanon and will return by available commercial flights to India,” the MEA’s statement read.
“The evacuation, coordinated by the embassies of India in Damascus and Beirut, was put into effect following our assessment of the security situation and requests from Indian nationals in Syria,” it added.
“The Government of India accords the highest priority to the safety and security of Indian nationals abroad. Indian nationals remaining in Syria are advised to stay in touch with the Indian Embassy in Damascus at their emergency helpline number +963 993385973 (also on WhatsApp) and email ID (hoc.damascus@mea.gov.in) for updates. The Government will continue to monitor the situation closely,” the MEA stated.
MEA statement as India evacuates nationals from Syria
On December 9, the MEA had said it was monitoring the unfolding developments in Syria and advocated a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political process going forward in that country.
WHAT HAPPENED IN SYRIA?
The Syrian government collapsed on December 8 as the rebels seized control of the capital Damascus after capturing several other prominent cities and towns.
Assad fled the country after the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) took control of Damascus, marking the end of his family’s 50-year rule.
Russian state media reported that Assad is in Moscow and was granted asylum.
His nearly 14-year tenure was marked by civil war, bloodshed and a brutal crackdown on his political opponents.
