India issues travel advisory amid escalating violence in Syria: New updates

The Government of India has issued a travel advisory urging its citizens to refrain from traveling to Syria amid rising violence and unrest in the war-torn Middle Eastern nation.

The advisory, released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday, December 8, comes in light of renewed conflict that has destabilized large parts of the country.

The MEA has requested Indian nationals currently in Syria to leave at the earliest possible opportunity using available commercial flights.

An emergency helpline has been established to assist those in need:

The ministry has also confirmed that approximately 90 Indian nationals reside in Syria, including 14 working with United Nations organizations.

Efforts are being made to ensure their safety, with the Indian Embassy in Damascus maintaining regular communication.

The advisory follows a resurgence of violence as Syrian rebel forces, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, launched an offensive aimed at overthrowing President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Rebel forces have recently seized key territories, including Hama, and are advancing into Homs, threatening to divide government-controlled regions.

Since the onset of the Syrian Civil War in 2011, over 300,000 civilians have died, and millions have been displaced, according to United Nations reports.

The conflict reignited last week when the rebels launched their offensive, coinciding with a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in neighboring Lebanon.

India's diplomatic mission is closely monitoring developments in Syria and has assured citizens of continued support during this challenging time.

As the conflict unfolds, Indian nationals are advised to remain vigilant and comply with government advisories to ensure their safety.