New Delhi: In a significant operation, India has successfully evacuated 75 of its citizens from war-torn Syria, just days after rebel forces toppled the regime of President Bashar Assad. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) coordinated the evacuation with support from Indian embassies in Damascus and Beirut, ensuring the safe passage of the stranded nationals amidst escalating violence.
According to the MEA’s official statement, the evacuees included 44 religious pilgrims (‘zaireen’) from Jammu and Kashmir, who were trapped in Saida Zainab. The evacuees were safely transported across the Syrian border into Lebanon and will return to India via commercial flights.
Highlighting its commitment to the safety of Indian nationals abroad, the MEA urged citizens still in Syria to remain in close contact with the Indian Embassy in Damascus via its emergency helpline (+963 993385973, also on WhatsApp) or email ([email protected]) for timely updates.
The evacuation follows a major political upheaval in Syria. Rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) seized Damascus after capturing key cities, forcing Bashar Assad to flee to Moscow and reportedly seek asylum in Russia. This marks the end of his family’s five-decade rule, a period overshadowed by civil war, violence, and a heavy-handed crackdown on dissent.
The MEA reiterated its commitment to monitoring developments in Syria closely, stressing the need for a peaceful and inclusive political process led by Syrians to restore stability in the region.
