New Delhi: India has evacuated 75 of its citizens from Syria, including pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir, as Islamist rebels captured power in Damascus and President Bashar Al Assad fled the country. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the Indian nationals safely crossed over to Lebanon and will return by available commercial flights to India.
“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.”
“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," the MEA said, adding that the government will continue to monitor the situation closely.
According to official data, there are about 90 Indian nationals in Syria, including 14 who are working in various UN organizations. Government sources said on December 8 that all Indian nationals in Syria are safe, hours after Islamist rebels captured power in Damascus evicting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from power.
The Syrian government collapsed as rebels seized control of the capital Damascus and Assad fled the country for Moscow in Russia, marking the end of his family's 50-year rule.
