India evacuates 75 nationals from Syria; all evacuees safely arrive in Beirut

The evacuation was a coordinated effort between the Indian embassies in Damascus and Beirut, conducted after assessing the deteriorating security situation in Syria.

India has successfully evacuated 75 of its nationals from Syria, including 44 zaireen (pilgrims) from Jammu and Kashmir who were stranded in Saida Zainab, following the overthrow of President Bashar Assad’s regime by rebel forces.  The evacuees have safely reached Beirut and will soon return to India via commercial flights.

The evacuation was a coordinated effort between the Indian embassies in Damascus and Beirut, conducted after assessing the deteriorating security situation in Syria.

Taking to microblogging site X, the Embassy of India in Beirut, in the early hours of Wednesday, stated, “All 75 Indian nationals evacuated from Syria, including 44 zaireen from Jammu & Kashmir who were stranded at Saida Zainab, have now reached Beirut. Ambassador Noor Rahman Sheikh received them upon their arrival in Beirut. They will return by available commercial flights to India.”

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in the late hours of Tuesday night, reaffirmed its commitment to the safety and security of Indian nationals abroad, advising those still in Syria to remain in contact with the Indian Embassy in Damascus.

“The Government of India accords the highest priority to the safety of Indian nationals abroad. The government will continue to monitor the situation closely,” the MEA said in a statement.

The MEA, on Monday, had also reiterated its support for a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political process to stabilise the region.

The evacuation follows a swift regime change in Syria. The Syrian government collapsed on Sunday when the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) seized control of Damascus, ending the Assad family’s 50-year rule.

Bashar Assad reportedly fled to Moscow, where Russian state media indicated he would be granted asylum. His 14-year rule was marked by a brutal civil war and severe crackdowns on political dissent.