'Leave' At 'The Earliest': India Warns Own Citizens In Syria Through Travel Advisory, Issues Emergency Number
Syrian rebels have launched a major offensive against forces of the government led by Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. The Syrian war, going on for last 14 years, has been dormant for last few years, but the latest offensive by rebels has broken the stalemate. India now has urged its citizens to leave Syria.
(File Photo) Syrian pro-government forces set up an outpost on December 2, 2016 in the Aleppo's eastern neighbourhood of Sakan al-Shababi after they retook from rebel fighters. | AP
India, in a late night advisory on Friday (December 6), warned its citizens in Syria to stay alert and leave the country if possible. Situation is war-torn Syria has deteriorated following rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham's (HTS) major offensive and gains against Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad's government forces. The Syrian civil war is going on for nearly 14 years now and the fresh developments have broken the stalemate that has persisted for several years lately.
"In view of the situation prevailing in Syria, Indian nationals are advised to avoid all travel to Syria, until further notification...," said India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday.
"Those who can, are advised to leave by the earliest available commercial flights and others are requested to observe utmost precaution about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum," said the MEA advisory further.
The ministry has advised Indian nationals to stay in touch with Indian embassy in Syrian capital Damascus
Emergency Number And E-Mail Address For Indians In Syria.
MEA has issued emergency phone number and e-mail address for Indian citizens in Syria.
The emergency number is +963 993385973
The emergency e-mail address is hoc.damascus@mea.gov.in
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted the advisory from his official handle on social media network X (formerly Twitter).
In a briefing on Friday, Jaiswal said that there were 90 Indians in Syria.
"We have taken note of the recent escalation in fighting in the north of Syria. We are closely following the situation. There are about 90 Indian nationals in Syria, including 14 who are working in various UN organizations. Our Mission remains in close contact with our nationals for their safety and security," Jaiswal said.
The Syrian rebels have captured several cities including Aleppo and Hama. Aleppo is largest city in Syria.
Rebels are now pushing towards Damascus and trying to capture crossroads city of Homs. If the city falls, the territory controlled by Assad government would split in two.
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