The evacuees, including pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir, have crossed into Lebanon and will soon return to India after escaping Syria’s escalating conflict

In a significant development amid the ongoing chaos in Syria, at least 75 Indian nationals have been evacuated from the war-torn country, where rebel forces have successfully toppled the government of Bashar al-Assad. The evacuees, who include 44 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir, have safely crossed into neighbouring Lebanon, where they will await commercial flights back to India. This operation was coordinated by Indian embassies in both Damascus and Beirut, as confirmed by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

The evacuation follows urgent appeals from Indian citizens in Syria and a comprehensive assessment of the rapidly deteriorating security situation. According to the External Affairs Ministry, the effort was prompted by escalating violence after the rebels captured the Syrian capital of Damascus following a swift 12-day military offensive. This development marked the end of over five decades of Assad family rule in the country. Assad, a close ally of Russia, fled Syria before the rebels breached his palace and is believed to have sought asylum in Russia.

Among those evacuated were Indian pilgrims who had been stranded in the Saida Zainab area, a key religious site in Syria. The 44 ‘zaireen’ from Jammu and Kashmir had been caught up in the conflict, but were eventually moved to safety thanks to the coordinated efforts of the Indian government. The evacuees will soon begin their journey home via commercial flights from Lebanon, with the authorities emphasising that the situation remains fluid.

While the majority of Indians have now been successfully evacuated, some nationals remain in Syria. The Ministry of External Affairs is closely monitoring the situation for further developments.

The rebel forces that ousted Assad are primarily led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, an influential coalition within Syria’s opposition. The group’s leader, Mohammad al-Bashir, has now been appointed as the transitional prime minister by the rebels, tasked with overseeing Syria’s reconstruction until a permanent government is established. In his first interview since assuming the position, al-Bashir called for “stability and calm,” emphasising the need for national reconciliation.

Meanwhile, international attention has turned to the aftermath of Assad’s fall. Reports indicate that the US government, under President Joe Biden’s administration, has reached out to the rebel leadership, urging them to form a more inclusive and representative transitional government. However, there have been suggestions that the Biden team has also engaged with former President Donald Trump’s administration to coordinate their approach, reflecting the broader geopolitical stakes in Syria’s future.

The US has long viewed Syria as a troubled state, with Trump previously describing it as a “mess” and advocating for reduced American involvement. Now, the international community, including the US, seems keen to influence the shape of Syria’s political future in the wake of the Assad regime’s collapse.

For the Indian nationals who have safely made their way to Lebanon, the immediate concern will be their return to India. The Ministry of External Affairs continues to monitor the situation closely, assuring citizens that all necessary support will be provided as they return to their homeland in the coming days.