stability in Syria following the recent overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The Indian government has urged all stakeholders to work toward preserving Syria’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity in light of the rapidly evolving situation.
Following a swift offensive by the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), previously linked to al-Qaeda, Assad fled Syria on Sunday. The rebel forces entered the capital, Damascus, without opposition, marking the end of the Assad family’s rule, which had lasted for over five decades. In a statement, India’s Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the importance of a peaceful, Syrian-led political process that respects the aspirations of all segments of Syrian society. The statement further called for all parties to focus on the country’s stability while safeguarding its territorial integrity.
India’s embassy in Damascus is in contact with the Indian nationals in Syria, ensuring their safety amid the unrest. The number of Indians in Syria has reduced significantly due to the ongoing civil war, with around 90 citizens remaining in the country, including some working with UN organizations and NGOs. In the wake of rebel advances, the Indian government had earlier advised its citizens to leave Syria and refrain from traveling there. Reports from Russian state media indicate that Assad and his family have sought asylum in Moscow, and Russia’s foreign ministry confirmed that he had resigned and left the country.
The fall of Assad’s regime marks the loss of a key ally for both Russia and Iran in the Middle East. Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of the rebel forces responsible for the regime’s collapse, declared that a “new history” was being written for the region, emphasizing the long-term goal of rebuilding Syria as a symbol of the Islamic world. Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, the prime minister under Assad, has called for free elections and is in discussions with al-Golani regarding Syria’s transitional period. International leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have also called for a peaceful resolution and a political solution to restore stability to Syria. Egypt and China echoed similar sentiments, urging a comprehensive, inclusive political process to guide the country into a new phase of peace and internal consensus. As the situation continues to develop, India and other global powers remain focused on ensuring a peaceful and stable future for Syria.
