India Rescues 75 Stranded Citizens from Syria Amidst Regime Collapse

New Delhi: The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Tuesday that it has successfully evacuated 75 Indian citizens, including 44 stranded `zaireen's from Jammu & Kashmir, from war-torn Syria. The evacuees will return to India via commercial flights after being initially taken to neighboring Lebanon.

The MEA stated that the coordination of the evacuation was done by both its embassies in Damascus and Beirut, following an assessment of the security situation and responses to requests for help from Indian citizens in Syria. "All evacuees have reached Lebanon safely," said the ministry, reiterating the government's commitment to the safety of Indians abroad.

According to official reports, Ambassador NoorRahman_IFS received the all-cleared 75 passengers in Beirut upon their safe arrival. After further preparations they will be scheduled to return via available commercial flights back home from Lebanon.

This comes amidst a major crisis unfolding in Syria as rebels seized control of Damascus on Sunday and President Bashar al-Assad fled, marking an end to the 53-year rule of the Assad family. In response, Israel deployed its army into the war-torn zone, previously declared by Syria as demilitarized under a historic peace agreement.

The crisis has prompted widespread panic and fear among Indian citizens in Syria, prompting calls from New Delhi for greater international aid and support to avert further bloodshed.

Meanwhile, reports emerged that President Assad of Syria is reportedly taking refuge in Moscow where diplomatic officials are working out plans to restore the country's shattered economy. The situation remains ever uncertain with developments at a rapid pace every day which makes this crisis an urgent matter to India.

In response to growing unrest globally due to human rights issues in Bangladesh, an Indian protest emerged against minority killings reported there recently in Toronto on Tuesday.