On Wednesday, India safely brought home 75 of its citizens from Syria, including 44 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir. This happened after rebel forces took control of Damascus, the capital of Syria. The people evacuated were able to cross over to Lebanon and will return to India on commercial flights, as confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs.
The evacuation was organized by the Indian embassies in Damascus and Beirut. The Indian government acted after assessing the security situation and receiving requests for help from its nationals in Syria. Among those evacuated were 44 “zaireen”, or pilgrims, who were visiting Sayyidah Zaynab, a significant religious site for Shia Muslims, where many go to seek healing.
The Ministry of External Affairs advised any remaining Indian citizens in Syria to stay connected with the Indian embassy in Damascus. They can reach out via an emergency helpline at +963 993385973 (which is also available on WhatsApp) or email at hoc.damascus@mea.gov.in for updates.
The Indian government emphasizes the safety of its citizens abroad and will keep a close watch on the situation. Earlier this week, India, along with other nations, called for peace and stability in Syria after opposition forces overthrew President Bashar al-Assad. The rebel group, mainly Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which was previously linked to al-Qaeda, easily entered Damascus and ended over 50 years of Assad’s rule.
Once, Syria had many Indian families, but due to the ongoing civil war, the number has dropped to about 90. This includes 14 Indians working with various United Nations organizations and NGOs.
Leave a Reply