India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday (December 9) issued a release saying that India was monitoring the situation in Syria and that all parties should ensure peaceful resolution of the current situation. The release, posted by MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on social media platform X, came a day after Syrian government led by now-deposed President Bashar Al Assad fell. Currently rebels control Syria and Assad has escaped to Russia where Russian media said he has been given political asylum.
“We are monitoring the situation in Syria in the light of on-going developments. We underline the need for all parties to work towards preserving the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria. We advocate a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political process respecting the interests and aspirations of all sections of Syrian society. Our Embassy in Damascus is in contact with the Indian community, for their safety and security,” said the MEA statement.
Conflict in Syria, the West Asian country facing civil war for more than a decade, had almost reached stalemate with frontiers largely shifting either way.
However, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) a faction of Syrian rebels fighting against Assad’s government troops began an offensive on November 27.
The lightning offensive gathered steam quickly than anticipated and HTS was able to take cities after cities including Aleppo, Homs and others.
After capturing Homs, the rebels marched to Damascus and made progress as government forces were gradually withdrawn.
The rebels entered Damascus on Sunday (December 8) and captured the city.
Assad fled the capital in a plane which travelled east initially before taking an abrupt U-turn in the direction of Russian capital Moscow. It fell off radar sparking speculation that the plane was shot down.
But the rumours were quelled after Assad reached Russia. The deposed president is yet to make a public appearance or issue a statement on situation in his own country.
