Travel Advisory for Indian Citizens in Syria
New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a travel advisory urging Indian citizens to avoid traveling to Syria due to escalating violence in the region. For those currently in Syria, the advisory recommends departing the country as soon as possible.
The MEA stated, "In light of the current situation, Indian nationals are advised to refrain from all travel to Syria until further notice." The advisory encourages those able to do so to take the earliest commercial flights available. It also advises others to exercise extreme caution regarding their safety and to limit their movements.
For Indians currently in Syria, the MEA has provided helpline numbers and has urged them to maintain communication with the Indian Embassy in Damascus. The emergency helpline number is +963 993385973.
As of now, approximately 90 Indian citizens are reported to be in Syria, with 14 individuals working for United Nations organizations. The spokesperson for the MEA, Randhir Jaiswal, confirmed that the Indian mission is actively communicating with these citizens to ensure their safety. "We are closely monitoring the situation and keeping in touch with our nationals to ensure their security," Jaiswal stated.
The advisory comes amid renewed violence as Syrian rebel groups have begun to regain territory in areas previously under the control of the government, specifically after their takeover of Hama and their advances towards Homs. The ongoing conflict, which has persisted since 2011, has led to over 300,000 civilian deaths and displaced millions from their homes in Syria and nearby regions.
