 "Syrian rebels have captured key city of Hama in fresh blow to Assad. Image: REUTERS")
As the tensions in Syria continue to escalate, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a travel advisory, urging all nationals to avoid travelling to the Middle Eastern nation. The advisory was issued just a few minutes before midnight on Friday. The situation in Syria continues to remain turbulent as rebel forces gain control over key Syrian cities.
“In view of the situation prevailing in Syria, Indian nationals are advised to avoid all travel to Syria, until further notification,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Friday. The MEA also issued advisories for Indians who are currently in Syria.
“Indians currently in Syria are requested to remain in touch with the Indian Embassy in Damascus at their emergency helpline number +963 993385973 (also on WhatsApp) and email ID hoc.damascus@mea.gov.in for updates,” the ministry wrote. “Those who can, are advised to leave by the earliest available commercial flights and others are requested to observe utmost precaution about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum,” the statement further reads.
90 Indian nationals in Syria: Randhir Jaiswal
While addressing a press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that there are currently 90 Indian nationals in Syria. Out of them, 14 are working on various UN organisations, ANI reported.
“We have taken note of the recent escalation in fighting in the north of Syria. We are closely following the situation… Our mission remains in close contact with our nationals for their safety and security,” Jaiswal said in a presser on Friday.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe warning came after insurgents took over key cities in Syria with many fearing intense fighting in the capital Damascus. On Friday, the Syrian opposition forces took control of the city of Daraa in southwestern Syria. The rebel groups are currently battling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces from two directions; the north and the south, in an attempt to close in on the capital.
Interestingly, Daraa was the city where the Syrian uprising started in 2011. Meanwhile, the Syrian Defence Ministry are yet to confirm whether the rebel forces have taken over the city or not. “Our forces have taken full control of the entire city of Daraa and have started combing through its neighbourhoods and securing its institutions and government offices,” local rebel fighters known as the Southern Operations Room said in a statement late Friday. Hence, the world will now watch closely which group will emerge as the victor in the Syrian crisis.