Indians in Syria: MEA ‘closely following’ situation as insurgents enter key towns, capture Hama

The Ministry of External Affairs is 'closely monitoring' unrest in Syria as insurgents captured the city of Hama and entered several key towns close to Homs. 

“We have taken note of the recent escalation in fighting in the north of Syria. We are closely following the situation. There are about 90 Indian nationals in Syria — including those who are working in various UN organizations. Our Embassies remain in close contact with our nationals for their safety and security,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

Several nations including Russia and China urged citizens to ‘leave Syria’ this week amid the worsening military situation. Others have urged caution and called for tourists to avoid the country at this time. India has warned tourists against travelling to Syria for over a decade as civil war continues to wreak havoc in the country.

Insurgents — led by the jihadi Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group — broke into Rastan and Talbiseh early on Friday and now remain positioned some five kilometers away from Homs. The development came a day after opposition gunmen captured the central city of Hama (the fourth largest in the country). The militants plan to march to Homs and then Damascus — the seat of power for President Bashar Assad.

Homs province is the largest in Syria and borders Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan. The city is also a major intersection point between Damascus, and the coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus where Assad enjoys wide support.

“The battle of Homs is the mother of all battles and will decide who will rule Syria,” said Rami Abdurrahman — chief of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is also backed by an umbrella group of Turkish-backed Syrian militias called the Syrian National Army. Their sudden capture of the northern city of Aleppo, an ancient business hub, was a stunning prize for Assad’s opponents and reignited the conflict which had been largely stalemated for the past few years.

(With inputs from agencies)