Amid escalating tensions in Syria, MEA issues travel advisory for Indian nationals

In the backdrop of the ongoing situation in conflict-torn Syria, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of the government of India has issued an official advisory urging all Indian nationals to "avoid all travel" to the West Asian country until "further notification".

The Syrian civil war, which erupted in 2011, came back in focus after recent developments which saw Syrian rebels capture the city of Aleppo from President Bashar al-Assad, jolting frontlines that had been dormant for years with far-reaching implications for the region and beyond.

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

The MEA notification also provided an emergency helpline number for those in need, and directed all Indian nationals stranded there to take "utmost precaution about their safety."

"Indians currently in Syria are requested to remain in touch with Indian Embassy in Damascus at their emergency helpline number [phone] (also on WhatsApp) and email ID [e-mail] for updates. 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," it said.

Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson of the MEA, shared the advisory in a post on social media platform X.

On Friday, India said it is closely following the unfolding situation in Syria.

"We have taken note of the recent escalation in fighting in the north of Syria. We are closely following the situation," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

"There are about 90 Indian nationals in Syria, including 14 who are working in various UN organisations. Our mission remains in close contact with our nationals for their safety and security," he added.

The Syrian rebels launched their surprise offensive on November 26, attacking from areas to the north and northwest of Aleppo. They swept into the city on November 29-30, forcing out government forces.

It is for the first time the control of the city has shifted since 2016, when government forces, backed by Russia and Iran, defeated rebels who had controlled Aleppo's eastern districts.

The rebels have pressed their advance in areas to the south and southwest of Aleppo, capturing territories in the Hama province. In response, the Assad government has vowed to fight back. Russia, which deployed its air force to Syria in 2015 to help Assad, is conducting airstrikes in support of the army.

It marks the most serious escalation of the conflict in years, adding to a toll which stands at hundreds of thousands dead since its inception in 2011, when the war mushroomed out of an Arab Spring uprising against Assad's rule. Since then, more than half the pre-war population of 23 million have been forced to move out from their homes, with millions fleeing abroad as refugees.

(With Reuters and PTI inputs)