India’s Ministry of External Affairs evacuates 75
Indian nationals from Syria amid regime coup

Los Angeles/Dec 10, 2024
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/ A.Gary Singh
In a swift and coordinated effort, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) successfully evacuated 75 Indian nationals from Syria following the recent overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The evacuees included 44 individuals from Jammu and Kashmir, stranded in the Saida Zainab area.
Evacuation Details
The MEA, in a statement on Tuesday, confirmed that the evacuation was executed in collaboration with India’s embassies in Damascus and Beirut. "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 statement said.
This mission underscores India's commitment to the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad. The MEA advised remaining Indian nationals in Syria to maintain contact with the Indian Embassy in Damascus via their emergency helpline at +963 993385973 (available on WhatsApp) or email (hoc.damascus@mea.gov.in).
Developments in Syria
The evacuation comes in the wake of dramatic political changes in Syria, as rebel forces overthrew Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year-old regime. The opposition forces, led by groups including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), took control of Damascus after capturing key cities across the country.
Assad reportedly fled to Russia, with local media suggesting that Moscow is prepared to grant him asylum. Assad’s tenure had been marked by a prolonged civil war and harsh crackdowns on political dissent, leaving the nation deeply fractured.
International Reactions
Geir Pedersen, UN Special Envoy for Syria, described the situation as a critical juncture for the country. “Syria is now at a crossroads with great opportunities for us, but also with grave risks,” Pedersen stated. He highlighted the challenges of stabilizing a nation newly under the control of opposition groups, emphasizing that reports of looting and property invasions in Damascus had mostly subsided.
While images of celebration filled the streets of Damascus, the challenges of establishing a peaceful and democratic future for Syria remain substantial. International observers continue to monitor the situation closely as the country embarks on this uncertain new chapter.
This evacuation effort demonstrates India's readiness to respond to crises and ensure the safety of its citizens, even amidst rapidly changing geopolitical landscapes.
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