New Delhi:
India successfully evacuated 75 of its nationals from Syria on Tuesday, just two days after rebel forces toppled President Bashar Assad’s regime. The evacuation operation was carried out by the Indian embassies in Damascus and Beirut, following a detailed security assessment by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
“The Government of India has safely evacuated 75 Indian nationals from Syria in light of the recent developments in the country,” stated the MEA in a late-night release.
Among those evacuated were 44 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir who were stranded in Saida Zainab. All Indian nationals have crossed over to Lebanon and will be returning to India on commercial flights,” the statement added.
The MEA emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Indian citizens abroad, advising those remaining in Syria to stay in touch with the Indian Embassy in Damascus.
Following the collapse of the Syrian government on Sunday and the capture of Damascus by rebel forces, reports surfaced that Assad had fled to Moscow and would be granted asylum. Assad’s departure marked the end of his family’s five-decade rule characterized by civil war and oppression.
The MEA reiterated its support for a peaceful and inclusive political process led by the Syrians in the future of the country.
(This article is unaltered except for the headline and has been sourced from a syndicated feed.)
