New Delhi: On Tuesday, India successfully evacuated 75 of its citizens from Syria, just two days after rebel forces overthrew President Bashar al-Assad’s government, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The evacuation took place amid a rapidly deteriorating security environment in the wake of the regime’s collapse. The MEA confirmed that all evacuees have safely crossed into Lebanon and will return to India on commercial flights shortly.
Among those evacuated were 44 individuals from Jammu & Kashmir who had been stranded in Saida Zainab. The MEA emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its nationals abroad.
To facilitate the operation, India’s embassies in Damascus and Beirut played a crucial role. The MEA urged Indian nationals still in Syria to remain in contact with the Embassy in Damascus for further updates and provided emergency contact details.
The situation intensified when the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) took control of Damascus, marking the end of Assad’s nearly 14-year rule and the Assad family’s dominance for over five decades. Reports suggest that Assad has fled the country and is seeking asylum in Russia.
In light of these developments, the MEA previously called for a peaceful and inclusive political transition in Syria and reiterated its intent to monitor the situation closely while supporting a resolution led by the Syrian people.