On Friday evening, the Ministry of External Affairs advised the public to refrain from visiting Syria until further notice. The ministry asked Indians in Syria to depart as soon as possible. Until further notice, Indian nationals are advised to refrain from travelling to Syria due to the current situation, the MEA stated. To stay informed, Indians who are currently in Syria are asked to contact the Indian Embassy in Damascus via their emergency helpline at +963 993385973 (also on WhatsApp) and email at hoc.damascus@mea.gov.in.

"Those who can go by the earliest commercial flights are encouraged to do so, while others are asked to take the highest safety precautions and limit their movements as much as possible," it continued.  According to the UN, since November 27, rebel forces in Syria have launched a rapid attack against Bashar al-Assad's government, forcing at least 3,70,000 people to leave their homes.

"The current increase in violence in Syria's north has caught our attention. We are keeping a careful eye on the situation. About 90 Indians are in Syria, including 14 who are employed by different UN agencies, according to Randhir Jaiswal, a spokesman for the External Affairs Ministry.

While the government has not specified a timeline for evacuation, it has assured citizens of its commitment to their safety. "The situation is being monitored closely, and we are prepared to take all necessary measures to ensure the well-being of Indian nationals in Syria," an MEA official stated.

As the geopolitical situation in the Middle East remains volatile, the advisory serves as a stark reminder of the need for caution and preparedness for those in high-risk regions.