Indian nationals advised to avoid all travel to Syria: MEA

New Delhi, Dec 7: After years of quiet, Syria’s civil war has erupted once again. The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a radical group launched a surprise offensive on November 27, capturing major cities including Aleppo, Hama, and Daraa. These advances mark the first time in years that President Bashar al-Assad's forces have lost such critical urban centres in rapid succession.

Given the situation prevailing in Syria, Indian nationals are advised to avoid all travel to Syria, until further notification, a press release from the Ministry of External Affairs read.

“Indians currently in Syria are requested to remain in touch with the 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.”

HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Joulani framed the attack as a preemptive strike to halt Syrian and Russian airstrikes on civilian areas in Idlib.

The rebels claim their goal is to protect civilians and reclaim territory. In a video address, HTS commander Lt. Col. Hassan Abdulghany called the operation a "necessary defensive measure" against government forces and their allies, including Iranian militias.

Meanwhile, Assad’s government, backed by Russia and Iran, has responded with force. Airstrikes near the Turkish border aim to slow the insurgents' advance. President Assad vowed to defend Syria's territorial integrity, emphasizing that his government would not surrender its control.

The loss of Aleppo, Hama, and Daraa is a severe blow for Assad. Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city, has been under government control since 2016. Hama, a city with a history of brutal crackdowns during Assad’s father's rule, saw residents celebrating the rebels’ arrival. Videos shared online showed crowds toppling statues and burning portraits of the Assad family as reported by the media and news agencies.

The renewed violence has claimed at least 826 lives, including 111 civilians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The United Nations estimates that over 280,000 people have been displaced in the last week alone. In Homs, tens of thousands of residents, particularly from the Alawite minority that forms the Assad regime's base, are fleeing in fear of the rebel advance.

The unrest has drawn global attention. Several countries including the United States and Russia have issued travel advisories for their citizens in Syria, warning of the deteriorating security situation. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has urged its nationals to leave Syria immediately, citing escalating violence. "Indians currently in Syria are requested to stay in touch with the Indian Embassy in Damascus," the MEA stated.

As Syria’s future hangs in the balance, the conflict’s human toll continues to mount. For millions of Syrians, the dream of peace remains elusive, overshadowed by fresh waves of violence and displacement.