India successfully evacuated 75 of its nationals from Syria on December 10, 2024, following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime by rebel forces. This operation was coordinated by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and involved the embassies in Damascus and Beirut.
The evacuees included 44 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir who were stranded at Saida Zainab, a significant pilgrimage site. The evacuation was prompted by the rapidly deteriorating security situation after the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) captured Damascus, leading to Assad’s flight from the country, reportedly seeking asylum in Russia.
All evacuated individuals have safely crossed into Lebanon and are set to return to India via commercial flights. The MEA emphasized its commitment to the safety of Indian nationals abroad and urged those still in Syria to maintain contact with the embassy for updates and assistance.
In light of these developments, India has called for a peaceful political transition in Syria and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
