75 Indians evacuated from war-torn Syria: MEA

New Delhi: India successfully evacuated its 75 citizens from war-torn Syria just two days after rebel forces ousted President Bashar Assad's regime. The operation was coordinated by the Indian embassies in Damascus and Beirut following a comprehensive assessment of the volatile situation, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

In an official statement, the MEA confirmed that the evacuation included 44 ‘zaireen’ from Jammu and Kashmir, who were stranded in Saida Zainab. The evacuees have safely crossed into Lebanon and will return to India via available commercial flights.

"The Government of India prioritises the safety and security of its nationals abroad," the MEA emphasised. Indian citizens still in Syria have been advised to maintain contact with the Indian Embassy in Damascus through its emergency helpline (+963 993385973, also on WhatsApp) or email (hoc.damascus@mea.gov.in) for updates.

Syria's government collapsed on Sunday after the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) seized control of the capital, Damascus, following their rapid capture of key cities and towns. Bashar Assad, who fled to Moscow, is reportedly seeking asylum in Russia, marking the end of his family's five-decade rule, said PTI. Assad’s nearly 14-year tenure was marred by civil war, widespread violence, and a brutal crackdown on dissent.

The MEA earlier stated it is closely monitoring developments in Syria and reiterated the importance of a peaceful, inclusive, and Syrian-led political process to stabilise the country.