India issues urgent Syria travel warning: Nationals advised to flee amid deadly resurgence of conflict!

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Indian government has issued an advisory urging its citizens to avoid travel to Syria and for those already there to leave immediately due to escalating violence and unrest. The advisory, released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), highlighted the resurgence of conflict in the region.

Travel Advisory Details

The MEA strongly advised against travel to Syria, stating:

"In view of the situation prevailing in Syria, Indian nationals are advised to avoid all travel to Syria, until further notification."

For those stranded, the Ministry emphasized using available commercial flights to leave the country at the earliest opportunity. Emergency contact information, including a helpline number (+963 993385973) and an email ID, was also shared for Indian nationals to connect with the Indian Embassy in Damascus.

Current Scenario

The ongoing conflict has seen a resurgence of civil war-like conditions, with Syrian rebel forces capturing key territories, including Hama, and advancing toward Homs. This has created a humanitarian crisis, with significant displacement among civilians, particularly Assad's Alawite minority. The rebel offensive, spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an alliance with roots in Al-Qaeda, aims to topple President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

The conflict, which began in 2011, has resulted in over 300,000 deaths and the displacement of millions, according to the UN. Indian authorities have confirmed that approximately 90 Indian nationals reside in Syria, including 14 working with United Nations organizations.

Official Response

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal assured the safety of Indian nationals, noting that the embassy in Damascus is in continuous communication with them. The MEA is closely monitoring the situation to safeguard its citizens.

Background of the Conflict

The rebel offensive comes alongside regional tensions, including a recently enacted ceasefire in neighboring Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah. The situation in Syria has reignited fears of further destabilization, with thousands fleeing potential conflict zones like Homs, which had previously been a focal point of the civil war.

This renewed violence has highlighted the ongoing volatility in the region, prompting international and local concerns over safety and stability.