Despite the ongoing unrest after the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, the Indian Embassy in Damascus is still operational. According to sources from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), all Indian nationals in Syria are safe and in regular contact with the embassy, which is ready to assist them as the situation continues to unfold.

The collapse of Assad’s regime happened quickly, largely due to an offensive by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group formerly known as Al-Nusra Front. Amid the chaos, the embassy's presence is important for ensuring the safety and well-being of Indian citizens in Syria.

The fall of President Bashar al-Assad has left Syria in a very unstable situation. Rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani, also known as Ahmed al-Sharaa, has announced the creation of a transitional government. 

However, there are concerns about the ability of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group he leads, to effectively govern Syria due to its extremist past. The situation is made even more complex by the involvement of foreign powers such as Russia, Iran, Turkey, and Israel, which add both diplomatic and security challenges to an already fragile country. 

With the situation in Syria remaining uncertain, Indian nationals in the country have been advised to stay in touch with the embassy for any necessary assistance. The Indian government has pledged to closely monitor the developments and prioritize the safety of its citizens during this volatile period.

How the turmoil in Syria started

The Syrian Civil War, which started in 2011, took a big turn when rebel forces overthrew President Bashar al-Assad's government and took control of Damascus. This surprise change happened after the rebels, part of a new group called the "Military Operations Command," launched an attack last week. They quickly captured villages near Aleppo and have now taken control of much of the city. After entering the important city of Hama, they plan to keep moving south toward Homs.

The rebels are fighting to free areas controlled by Assad’s forces and to fight back against the growing attacks from government troops and pro-Iranian militias. They are also taking advantage of Assad's weakened position, as his main allies, Russia and Iran, are distracted by other wars. Russia is busy with the war in Ukraine, and Iran is dealing with attacks from Israel, especially on Hezbollah.