On Friday, India issued a travel advisory urging its citizens to avoid traveling to Syria due to the escalating violence following a major offensive by rebel forces. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) recommended that Indian nationals stay away from Syria until further notice, citing the deteriorating security situation in the country.
The MEA advisory urged Indian citizens in Syria to leave at the earliest available commercial flights, if possible. For those unable to depart, the ministry emphasized the importance of exercising extreme caution, limiting movement, and staying vigilant about personal safety. “In view of the situation prevailing in Syria, Indian nationals are advised to avoid all travel to Syria, until further notification,” the advisory stated. The MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, confirmed that approximately 90 Indian nationals are currently in Syria, including 14 working with various UN organizations, and assured that the government is monitoring the situation closely.
Jaiswal further mentioned that the Indian embassy in Damascus is in continuous contact with the citizens in Syria, prioritizing their safety and security. For Indians currently in the country, the MEA urged them to stay in close contact with the embassy for updates and guidance. The embassy can be reached through an emergency helpline at +963 993385973 (also available on WhatsApp) and via email at hoc.damascus@mea.gov.in.
The travel advisory was prompted by the recent intensification of fighting in northern Syria, where insurgents, led by the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), launched a significant offensive. The rebels have successfully captured several strategic cities, including Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, which had been a long-standing battleground in the 14-year civil war. The insurgents’ primary objective appears to be to advance toward Homs, and ultimately Damascus, the seat of President Bashar al-Assad’s government.
The capture of Hama, Syria’s fourth-largest city, marked a significant turning point in the conflict. This victory has given the rebels control of a crucial central region and set their sights on Homs, a vital crossroads city. If the insurgents succeed in taking Homs, they could effectively sever Assad’s territorial hold, significantly weakening his government’s control.
Videos circulating on social media show hundreds of residents fleeing Homs overnight, as anti-regime rebel forces pushed further south toward the capital, Damascus. The intensifying violence has sparked fears of further instability and displacement within the country.
