Syria Crisis: India Evacuates 75 Nationals as Rebels Storm Damascus
Syria Crisis: India has successfully evacuated 75 of its citizens, including pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir, as Islamist rebels seized control of the country. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the evacuation, stating that the Indian nationals safely crossed over into Lebanon and will return to India by commercial flights.
The move follows a period in which Syrian opposition forces had taken control of major cities, including the capital Damascus, as part of a general advance. On December 8, the Assad government fell after Islamist rebels, notably the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, made headway and captured the capital. Opposition fighters declared they had "liberated" Damascus and toppled the Assad regime in a statement broadcast on Syrian state television. They also demanded the freedom of all prisoners jailed under the regime's rule.
Among those evacuated were 44 'zaireen' who got stranded at Saida Zainab
an important shrine for Muslims. Indian Embassy in Damascus and Beirut had coordinated the evacuation to make the safe passage of the nationals into Lebanon before they returned to India. MEA clarified that evacuation had taken place based on the evaluation of the situation concerning the security of Syria and due to demands from Indian nationals.
According to MEA, India would stick by all aspects which refer to security measures so that its citizens safely travel abroad. The advisory released asks the remaining nationals present in Syria to stay updated from the embassy. For Indian, the welfare of citizens holds its priorities along with keeping a close tab on developing events in Syria.
This evacuation spotlights the political crisis that exists in Syria, with the downfall of the Assad regime signifying a considerable shift in the country's governance. The Syrian civil war is now in its 14th year, so this latest escalation has been creating alarm worldwide, which prompted countries to act hastily to secure their citizens' safety.
