Ravi Bhushan, a Ghaziabad resident, became the first of 75 Indian nationals to be evacuated from Syria, recounting the harrowing situation in Damascus and expressing his gratitude towards the Indian government for its timely intervention. Bhushan was part of a group that was successfully brought back home after being stranded in war-torn Syria.
Speaking to ANI, Bhushan described the dire conditions in Syria, particularly in Damascus, where the situation had rapidly deteriorated after Syrian rebels, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), launched an offensive on November 27. The offensive led to widespread panic, violence, and the eventual ousting of President Bashar al-Assad from the capital. Bhushan described the atmosphere as “the worst,” with bombings, looting, and chaos dominating the streets. “People are firing in open roads, bombarding, looting banks. The airport is completely damaged, and vehicles are being destroyed in hotels and elsewhere,” he said, adding that the situation was expected to worsen in the coming days.
Bhushan, who had traveled to Syria for business, initially found the situation stable. However, within days of his arrival, the conflict escalated, leaving him and others stranded in dangerous conditions. “The situation was fine when I came, but suddenly everything changed. We did not expect such violence,” he recalled.
During this turmoil, the Indian embassy played a pivotal role in ensuring the safety of Indian nationals. Bhushan was quick to acknowledge the embassy’s tireless efforts, explaining that the Indian government had initiated a rescue operation to evacuate its citizens. The Syrian embassy kept everyone updated on the operation, providing hourly messages detailing their efforts. “If anyone faced problems regarding food or anything else, they arranged it. We are really thankful to the Indian government and the embassies in Lebanon and Syria for their support,” Bhushan said.
He also shared his observation of the suffering faced by people from other countries in Syria. “We saw people from other countries suffering, especially children and women who were forced to sit outside in freezing temperatures of 4-5°C for hours. But thanks to the Indian government, we did not face such issues,” Bhushan added.
The Indian embassy, in a statement, confirmed that 75 Indian nationals, including 44 ‘Zaireen’ from Jammu and Kashmir who were stranded at Saida Zainab, were safely evacuated to Beirut on Wednesday.
The violence in Syria has intensified in recent weeks, leading to widespread destruction and insecurity. The conflict escalated following the rebellion against Assad’s regime, marking a new chapter in Syria’s ongoing civil war. The country has faced immense hardship, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence.
Bhushan’s return highlights the importance of diplomatic efforts in times of crisis. While other countries’ nationals suffered immense hardship, India’s timely intervention helped protect its citizens, ensuring their safe return home from a region ravaged by conflict.
The Indian government’s response to the crisis in Syria continues to receive praise for its proactive approach to securing the safety of Indian nationals abroad. As the situation in Syria remains uncertain, efforts to support and evacuate other stranded citizens will likely continue.
Sources By Agencies