New Delhi, Dec 6 (UNI) Amid the escalating situation in Syria, India on Friday night asked Indian nationals to avoid all travel to Syria and those in Syria were asked to remain in touch with the Indian Embassy.
In a late night advisory, the Ministry of External Affairs also advised those Indians who can to leave by the earliest available commercial flights.
“In view of the situation prevailing in Syria, Indian nationals are advised to avoid all travel to Syria, until further notification.
“Indians currently in Syria are requested to remain in touch with Indian Embassy in Damascus at their emergency helpline number +963 993385973 (also on WhatsApp) and email ID hoc.damascus@mea.gov.in 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.”
The advisory came as the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) captured the major city of Hama and were advancing to the city of Homs.
Earlier in the evening, the MEA said that it is closely watching the situation, and its embassy is in close touch with the around 90 Indians there.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, answering a question on the situation in Syria, said:
“We have taken note of the recent escalation in fighting in the north of Syria. We are closely following the situation.
“There are about 90 Indian nationals in Syria, including 14 who are working in various UN organizations. Our Mission remains in close contact with our nationals for their safety and security.”
His comments came as the HTS militants captured the city of Hama on Thursday, days after taking control of Aleppo, Syria’s second largest city.
Meanwhile, thousands of people have begun fleeing the city of Homs as the HTS militants began moving further south towards Damascus.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said on Friday that thousands of Homs residents started fleeing overnight towards the western coast, where embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad still maintains control.
UNI RN